DOCUMENT ID:  1160-02

SYNOPSIS:     How to reformat SCSI hard disk

OS RELEASE:   

PRODUCT:      Solaris x86

KEYWORDS:     SCSI Hard Disk Drive host-bus adapter read write error


DESCRIPTION:

The console is displaying read/write error messages from the SCSI
host-bus adapter. 


SOLUTION:

Sometimes, even SCSI runs out of spare sectors that can be used to map
data from newly discovered bad blocks.  Normally, such remapping goes
unnoticed to the user, but when we run out of spare sectors, the
host-bus adapter begins to encounter read and write errors. 

If we have ruled out the possibility of a bad adapter or cables, then we
need to reformat the disk using the adapter.  Reformatting will mark the
bad sectors and once again set aside some spares for future use.  If
this does not eliminate the problem then we have a hardware problem. 

DOS debug can be used to access the BIOS of the Adaptec AHA-154xB by
executing g=c800:6

The AHA-154xC and CF have a BIOS program that can be entered by pressing
CTRL-A during the boot process. 

The AHA-174x and the AHA-274x have a disk format utility as part of the
EISA configuration diskettes that accompany the adapters. 


DATE APPROVED: 10/10/95