Subject: re: Drive woes.
To: port-mac68k mailing list <port-mac68k@netbsd.org>
From: Steve Revilak <revilak@umbsky.cc.umb.edu>
List: port-mac68k
Date: 11/06/1998 12:58:21
Joshua E Hope <otaku@unixgeek.ml.org> wrote:

>Recently I found out that the drive /home resided on was causing some
>prolems (medium SCSI errors). I rebooted into Mac OS and attempted to
>reformat it with a patched HDSC setup program. Unfortunately, it errore
>out with the most informative error: "Could initialize disk. Disk was
>unable to initialize." Oh I love Apple's error messages!
>
>So, I went into FWB tools to check up on the disk, and tried initializing
>the drive from there. Unfortunately, every command I ran was telling me
>the device was not ready (well, at this time I of course checked all
>cords, plugs, etc.). Not ready! I can hear it had spun up...and I had done
>nothing since my failed attempt at formatting...
>
>So I went into FWB's SCSI configure program, and found out that the drive
>was saying it wasn't ready. I turned the thing on and off a couple times.
>No luck. I even tried starting it up with the "Start/Stop Drive" menu
>item. It would re-spin the drive up, but not much more. I felt like I was
>defibulating a dying patient :)


So you did try different cables (perhaps also using a contact cleaner? --
this has made a difference for me at times).  And it looks like FWB's
formatter told you the same thing apple's did....

I've never formatted a disc from within Unix so I can't be much help there.
The only thing's I can guess....

	* Try putting this device by itself on the SCSI chain (w/terminator)
just to make usre that the problem in only this device & not the result of
an interrraction.

	* Check the maufacturer's website...you may find a clue there.

	* Aside from that there is the sorry third prognosis...that your dirve
may be on it's way out.


Good luck!

Steve Revilak
revilak@umbsky.cc.umb.edu