Chapter 3

Formatting a Hard Disk

This chapter describes how you check or format a hard disk drive after installation. After the hard disk is formatted, it can be partitioned and formatted for a particular operating system. Formatting destroys all data on the hard disk, in all partitions, so use this program with extreme care.

Format hard disk is option 2 on the OPERATION MENU. You can select this option from the OPERATION MENU, or you can execute the MS-DOS HDFMTALL command.

After you install a hard disk drive, format it using this program, Format hard disk, and choose option 1, Conditional format (Normal). After format- ting, you need to partition and format the hard disk for your operating system(s). Refer to your MS-DOS manual for details on partitioning and formatting your hard disk for MS-DOS.

You may need to reformat a hard disk later if you have a serious problem with the drive. However, before completely reformatting the disk, use the Non-destructive surface analysis test (option 4 on the HARD DISK FORMAT MENU) to decide if formatting is necessary. If errors occur during this test, back up your disk, and run the Conditional format followed by Destructive surface analysis. These tests are described below.

Formatting and Checking Options

When you select option 2, Format hard disk, from the OPERATION MENU, you see a menu of formatting and checking options:

HARD DISK FORMAT MENU

l- Conditional format (Normal)
- Unconditional format
: - Destructive surface analysis
4 - Non-destructive surface analysis
pl - Exit

Enter selection number:

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