Misc uport bugs and observations

[James Van Artsdalen]

IN article <924 at ddsw1.UUCP>, karl at ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) wrote:
> [...]  You can't prep the
> disk low-level under DOS if you're going to use it with UNIX; seems as
> though you *MUST* low-level format to get the bad-track table on there
> (so says their tech support...  why?).  In any event, the formatter goes 
> ahead and uses 2:1 interleave, with NO CHOICE! AARRGGHHH!!!!  Only 
> 240K/second transfer rate results, 1/2 what the system is capable of.

For the record: I low-level format my disks with Western Digital's programs,
not with uPort's.  This can be inconvenient.  To accomplish this, you must
modify the INSTALL script on a copy of the build disk.  Change the interleave
to the correct value.  If you don't, the bad block table is created with the
wrong values and your system is about to hang...

Karl, are you sure it formatted at 2:1 interleave?  The INSTALL script on my
disks assumes 1:1 for Televideo and 3:1 for all others.  I don't know of any
way to determine the actual interleave after formatting.

If all else fails, it is possible to manually build the /etc/partitions file
on the build disk and then use "mkpart -i disk0" to initialize the VTOC.  This
is a pain, but can be done.  For my own use I now have a modified INSTALL
script that uses the /etc/partitions file on the build disk, and have put "ed"
on the build disk so I can edit the partitions file on floppy.
-- 
James R. Van Artsdalen       jva at astro.as.utexas.edu         "Live Free or Die"
Home: 512-346-2444 Work: 328-0282; 110 Wild Basin Rd. Ste #230, Austin TX 78746