changing bytes/sector for a HP-C2490A scsi disk

[mmjdewitte]

Hello,

I've got a couple of old HP-C2490A. These disks have been used in a Mainfrain and are using 514 bytes per sector instead of the (usuall) 512 bytes / sector. I would like to get this fixed to be able to use this disk in a linux environment.

Any information how to do this is greatly appreciated.

Michel de Witte

[paul courry]

Format the drive. Use ODE if you have to.

[Sebastien Parayre]

Hi Michel,

Formating the drives, will overwrite the current config and will use Linux defaults, which is 512/sector.

For this task, you could use PVCREATE with option -f (force) -B (bootable).
For more details see http://www.europe.redhat.com/documentation/HOWTO/LVM-HOWTO-3.php3

[Bernd Reize]

HI Sebastien,

I have the same problem and tried your solutions.
But when executing a 'pvcreate -f /dev/sdb' i only get an error message returned. 'can't open device /dev/sdb'. the fdisk command failes with the same message.
Do you know any hints?
Probably it depends on the scsi hba (tekram dc315u in my case), or special jumper settings on the disk itself?

Thanks for any informations.
Bernd

[Vincenzo Restuccia]

mediainit

[R. Westerman]

Had the same problem trying to use the disk in Windows.

Used a tool called SCSITOOL to change the sectorsize. You will find instructions how to make a bootable diskette where you find SCSITOOL.

You need to use MODE SELECT to change the sectorsize to 512, then save the settings (choose ignore when you get an error).

Then low-level format the disk and it will be 512.

Good luck.