Subject: Re: NetBSD is running now -- questions...
To: Waldi Ravens <waldi@moacs.indiv.nl.net>
From: Leo Weppelman <leo@wau.mis.ah.nl>
List: port-atari
Date: 10/21/1995 11:19:09
Hi Waldi,

> The rd_rootparts() and related functions perform some very strict
> sanity checks on the data in the AHDI partition table. This is
> necessary, because there is no magic number in the root- and/or
> auxilary root sectors. The disadvantage of these strict checks
> is that even the slightest mistake in the partition table is
> interpreted as proof for the non-existance of an AHDI partition
> table. I realise that TOS harddisk drivers and Linux do not
> perform such sanity checks, but I'm reluctant to follow their
> (IMO bad) example. I believe data integrity is an important
> issue, especially when an `of-by-one' error may cause the
> destruction of one or more filesystems.
I strongly agree! 
> 
> 
> I suppose the best way to handle this is to write a small utility
> for TOS/MiNT, which does the same checks NetBSD does, while
> producing some clear report (including error indication and
> possible solution).
This seems like a good idea. Most of the code could be taken from
.../atari/disksubr.c .

Leo.