Winchester disk bad sectors

[Steven List]

We are having a problem with our systems relative to bad sectors and dynamic
sparing of sectors/tracks/cylinders.

We are using systems that are running SYSIII/S5R2 using Fujitsu  Winchesters
(14"  -  145, 285, 570MB formatted).  Our vendor provides software to format
those disks.  The formatting software requires that the operator type  in  a
lengthy list of cylinder/track/head/sector information without errors.  This
is the first problem.

The second problem is that we have no  way  of  (1)  detecting  bad  sectors
except   empirically  or  (2)  sparing  sectors/tracks  dynamically  without
shutting down the system and running the formatter program.

Does anyone out there have a good  explanation  for  us?   Is  this  problem
generic  with  either Winchesters or Fujitsu disks or supermicros (68k based
or otherwise)?  Or is it a lack in our vendor's software?  While  the  disks
tend  to be pretty reliable, it is really unacceptable to have to dump .5GB,
reformat, and reload whenever a single bad sector is found.

If anyone has any software, pointers,  explanations,  and/or  directions  to
reference materials, they will be GREATLY appreciated.  Respond by Email and
I will summarize to the net.
-- 
***
*  Steven List @ Benetics Corporation, Mt. View, CA
*  Just part of the stock at "Uncle Bene's Farm"
*  {cdp,greipa,idi,oliveb,sun,tolerant}!bene!luke!itkin
***