low-level format will be at 35 SPT, while the parameter tables created will show 17 SPT
(with translation enabled).
A selection with 34 SPT
. Use this feature if the system recognizes the standard 34 SPT
drive.
A selection with 63 SPT
. Use this feature only when the drive in question has more than
1024 cylinders. Translation should always be enabled when such a condition exists.
Translation provides full use of all the cylinders of the drive even though most types of
AT BIOS recognize only a maximum of 1024 cylinders.
b. Low-level Format Routine
Formatting routines are present to do the low-level initialization of the disk surface. The
drive is formatted at 35 sectors per track. Transparent to the user, the routine formats
with a sector skew and also formats a spare sector on each track. The surface analysis
routines use the spare sector when reallocating a bad sector on a track. It is also used to
store the parameter information generated by the BIOS. This information is written to
the spare sector on cylinder 0, head 0. The sector skew, which is fixed at two, allows the
controller to maintain a 1:1 interleave across all head boundaries. Sector skewing is a
method of formatting in which the sector numbers are rotated in the interleave table for
each track.
c. Surface Analysis Routine
The surface analysis routine identifies bad tracks on the drive and, in the event that there
is only one bad sector on the track (and it is NOT sector zero), it uses the alternate sector
when reformatting the track. This prevents the controller from identifying the track as
"bad', providing that you have entered the manufacturer's list of "bad tracks" prior to
performing this routine.
d. Verify Drive Routine
The verify routine identifies all the bad tracks on the drive and lists them by head and
cylinder number. Use the FDISK and FORMAT utilities to prepare the drive.
e. Enter Defect List Routine
This routine allows you to enter the list of bad tracks as listed by the drive manufacturer
on the drive.
4. Verify the mode of operation. To format a drive at a value other than 35 SPT,
configure the board to the WDl005-WAH mode (install jumper W8). In this
