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 for-
matted 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
Conditional format (Normal)
- Unconditional format
- Destructive surface analysis
- Non-destructive surface analysis
- Exit
Enter selection number:
3-1
