ZX-News #39 18 августа 1997

Железо

Testing - Two tests: simple and complex test your hard drive.

       Testing of the hard disk


  After the automatic, and the more manual
identification of the hard disk, you must
check how the drive will work with the established "geometric" 
size. For this purpose, the submenu Set Up menu, Hard disk

utility, you can choose two tests. The first
test (denoted by the numeral 1) simple sequential reads all 
sectors on the hard disk and detects unreadable sector. In 
addition, the test allows a visual estimate of the actual speed 
of the hard disk, because uses real routines, "sewn" into the 
ROM of the Shadow Monitor. LBA mode support for hard drive also

can be defined in this test. The second test
more lengthy and complicated. It allows you to check the data 
transfer mechanism, ie work schemes in the IDE "enhanced mode".



  Let us work tests. Checking the contents of sectors in the 
first test is not possible, and to assess the error test is 
satisfied by messages issued by the rigid disc. On the computer 
screen indicated counter current and verifiable cylinder

"Rotating rod", a few quickening now. Abort the test can only
pressing BREAK. Actually, if all is well, then this matter and 
should be limited - doschityvaet counter to the maximum 
cylinder, the screen is given the coordinate of the last read 
sector, and the test is completed. You can proceed to the 
second test. 


  In the case of fixing the bugs on screen
I get a message about it, which presents the coordinate of the 
bad sector and type errors. Here we should pay attention to

error rate. If they are small and occur
they are chaotic, then most likely, this instance of a hard 
disk fails, and then to work with him is not recommended. If 
same error followed by "groups" with alternating specific 
numbers, it is quite likely that the hard drive properly set 
"geometrical" dimensions. It happens that on the disk "crashes" 
some kind of a head, and all sectors, it has read, are

"Beaten". In these cases you should go back to manual setup and 
try to "Cut off" faulty, reducing the corresponding values, and 
then spend Test again.



  The second test is more informative, but also more dangerous. 
Its algorithm is as follows: from the sector is read out 
located there information, then the sector can be written

pseudo-random code, and the information is read and verified by 
written, well into the sector returns to its former value. As 
can be seen, the test is not only relies on diagnostic error 
output by the disk, but also objectively examines

quality channel read / write. Why test
dangerous - obviously. If there are write errors, then the 
sector can not return the information found there before the 
operation, in addition, an unexpected interruption of test 
(Power off, manual or random resetting the computer) can lead 
to similar effect. Therefore, first, do a second test after

successful completion of the first, and, secondly, interrupt 
the passage of the test only pressing BREAK.



  Suspend error messages
possible by pressing SPACE, continued O - ENTER.


  On the testing phase is completed connecting the hard drive 
must now be create a logical structure for storing

data.