Disk Mode
Disk Partitioning
13-77
Doing a Hard Format
There are two kinds of formatting: we’ll call them normal formatting and “hard” formatting.
Normal formatting is what usually happens when you format a disk. Although normal
formatting makes an entire hard disk accessible for data storage, it doesn’t actually delete files;
instead, normal formatting deletes underlying system-level data about how and where the files
are stored. Although this makes the files on the disk unusable, much of the files’ contents remain
on the disk (that’s why you can often recover a file even after you’ve deleted it).
Hard formatting physically erases every bit of data on the disk. Once a disk is hard formatted,
there’s no data to recover; it’s completely blank, and must be formatted normally before it can
store data again. Hard formatting can sometimes make a corrupted disk usable, or make it easier
to use a disk on a different operating system.
The first time you format a disk for use with the K2661—whether it’s new or previously
formatted with a computer—you should begin with a hard format, then format it normally with
the K2661. (You should do this because any residual file data left by normal formatting could
cause the K2661 to miscalculate partition boundaries.)
Any time you’re using a PC or a Mac to format or reformat a disk for use with the K2661, you
should start with a hard format to remove residual file data.
When using the K2661 to reformat a disk or partition that’s been formatted with the K2661, you
can probably skip the hard format, unless you’re having problems saving and loading files.
The time required for hard formatting varies widely depending on the hard disk. Newer drives
in the 10-G range will generally take from 30 to 60 minutes, although your results may differ.
1. Press the Disk mode button to enter Disk mode.
2. Select the Current Disk parameter, if necessary, then select the SCSI ID of the disk you
want to format.
3. Press the Chan/Bank buttons simultaneously. You’ll see several prompts asking you
whether you want to do a hard format.
4. Answer Yes in each case. The display informs you when formatting begins. When it’s
finished, the display returns to Disk mode.
The Partitioning Procedure
Caution: This procedure destroys all data files on the disk. Before formatting, make sure to back up any
data that you want to preserve.
1. If you haven’t already done a hard format, do so now, as described in the preceding
procedure. Doing a hard format is important for ensuring data integrity. When the hard
format is complete, the K2661 returns to Disk mode, and you can proceed with Step 2.
2. Press one of the more soft buttons until you see the Format soft button. Press it. The
display prompts you to decide whether to format the disk. Press Yes.
3. The display prompts you to choose whether to partition the disk. Press Yes.
4. The display prompts you with a reminder that formatting erases everything on the hard
disk, and asks whether you want to continue. Press Yes.
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