SCSI Help Please!!!

[billy00973]

Hi

I have a Seagate ST423451W drive connected to a BUslogic/Mylex controller (BT-956C). It is the only drive that is hooked up to the controller. THe hard drive's id is 3, the controller's id is 7. THe problem is, i can see the drive in windows in my computer. However, whenever i try to format it, the computer freezes. Any suggestion are welcome.
Thanks in advance for your help.

-Billy00973

P.S. OS is Windows 2000 Professional

[SeanC]

Is everything properly terminated on the SCSI chain? Is the cable in good condition (i.e. no snags and none of the wires appear cut?

Sean

[billy00973]

The cable is brand new, and appears to be in good condition. The drive is terminated as well as the controller. Thanks for the quick reply

[sechs]

Did you low-level format the drive with the controller?

I'm not familiar with this controller, so I don't know exactly what its features are.

[billy00973]

No, but it will try that. Thanks

[PyroSama]

Run scandisk. Thier may be phisical damage to the disk.



PyroSama

[Peter M]

You should first have the controller's BIOS do an actual SCSI format of the drive. That Elite brick will take a loooooooong time for this. Then, if the controller's BIOS has that, do a surface read test.

Next, you need to use Windows Disk Manager applet to partition the drive and put file systems ("format" in DOS-speak) onto the partition(s) you made.

[billy00973]

OK, when I try to format with the controller's BIOS, it says "Disk is not ready." But i can hear the drive spin up when i start the computer. THanks for your help.

[Peter M]

Well if the drive says it ain't ready, then it isn't. Have you jumpered it to spin up on its own, without delay? Unless your SCSI adapter actively spins it up (and waits for it), you also need to set the SCSI controller to a suitable delay.
Those Elite monsters use a LONG time to spin up. Not every SCSI adapter's default settings are ready for this.

[billy00973]

Ok, i can set it to spin up immediately. It was set to spin up after the SCSI bus ID *12 seconds.