Format & Initialize

[tnie]

I have a Seagate ST39102LW which needs to be initialize and maybe formated because the drive is fragmented. I can't even record more than 30 seconds because of an error. Digi sends FWB with the system, but checking out supported drives at the FWB sight a ST39102LW is not supported with there lastest version. FWB supported a ST39103LW which I'm trying to find the difference between a 39102 and a 39103. The question is ...What's everyone using for formating and initializing when using a Cheetah ST39102LW and is it supported by the software ???? Thanks, Tom

[Druid]

Tom,
The only difference between the ST39102LW and the ST39103LW is a firmware revision that warranted changing the model number. In function the drives are identical. FWB 3.x does support that model, although there supported device list is not up to date (this is according to the FWB product manager).
If the drive is fragmented, you only need to run Norton SpeedDisc or some such similar utility. Or you can back up your data and do a low level format in FWB HDT. As well, I would check the settings in your SCSI card's control panel. For an ATTO card set the "Sync Rate" to 20 (10) for all ID's. With an Adaptec card turn off "Ultra" in PowerDomain 3.x or set the slider to "Fast SCSI 10" under the Advanced tab in PowerDomain 5.x

[Steve Rosenthal]

Tom,

Druid's advice and info about FWB is spot-on, with one exception:

Or you can back up your data and do a low level format...

We advise against doing low-level formats. Generally, all you need to do is initialize a drive (high-level format).

Low-level formatting takes a long time, and if power is interrupted to the drive at any time during the process, it can render the drive "brain-dead." (I've seen this several times. It's not fun.)

Furthermore, if you are experiencing hard errors (bad blocks), it's a usually a sign of an impending or actual failure such as media contamination, head crash, servo tracking failure, or some such catastrophe. If you're seeing bad blocks, it's time to replace the drive, in which case low-level formatting will hinder accurate failure analysis.

The only times you'll ever have to do a low-level format are pretty rare and are outlined in the Hardware Setup Guide that came with your Pro Tools system.

Hope this helps.

--Steve Rosenthal, Digidesign ETS