Formatting a hard disk drive
Low-level formatting removes all data from the hard disk. If there is data on the
disk that you want to save, back up the hard disk before you perform this
procedure.
About this task
Note: Before you format a hard disk, make sure that the disk is not part of a
mirrored pair.
To format a drive, complete the following steps:
1. From the list of adapters, select the controller (channel) for the drive that you
want to format and press Enter.
2. Select SAS Topology and press Enter.
3. Select Direct Attach Devices and press Enter.
4. To highlight the drive that you want to format, use the Up Arrow and Down
Arrow keys. To scroll left and right, use the Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys
or the End key. Press Alt+D.
5. To start the low-level formatting operation, select Format and press Enter.
Creating a RAID array of hard disk drives
Use this information to create a RAID array of hard disk drives.
About this task
To create a RAID array of hard disk drives, complete the following steps:
1. From the list of adapters, select the controller (channel) for which you want to
create an array.
2. Select RAID Properties.
3. Select the type of array that you want to create.
4. In the RAID Disk column, use the Spacebar or Minus (-) key to select [Yes]
(select) or [No] (deselect) to select or deselect a drive from a RAID disk.
5. Continue to select drives, using the Spacebar or Minus (-) key, until you have
selected all the drives for your array.
6. Press C to create the disk array.
7. Select Save changes then exit this menu to create the array.
8. Exit the Setup utility.
174 System x3650 M3 Types 4255, 7945, and 7949: Installation and User’s Guide