Changing the blocksize SCSI Hardisk

[Adiyanto]

We need to change the block size of that hard disk (HP C3324A) from 512byte/sector to
256 byte/sector.
That hard disk will be use in MTOS O/S.

In 1999 we have success to do that with the same type hard disk.
But now we have no success even we do with the same interface and the driver
(with DOS O/S).
Do anyone can help us an idea about this?
Is it any problem like differences with Primary Revision Code?

FYI:
We have success to change SCSI mode sense (1Ah) page-3 at byte 12.
But report from SCSI read capacity (25h) still 512 byte/sector.
When execute SCSI read, 512 bytes received rather than 256 bytes.

[Adiyanto]

It's done, I forgot to change one byte.
For any one wants to know about it I could help you.

[Ralf Neerfeld]

I got the same problem and would be interested in a solution.

I need to format a disk for use under OS-9 (Microware).....

Thanks in advance

Ralf

[Kenneth Hjelmstad]

I am trying to change the block size from 512 to 4096 on a Seagate ST15150WD SCSI drive. It appears from your question and subsequent reply to your own question, that the answer lies in accessing or flashing the drive, which I have no idea how to do. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Ralf Neerfeld]

Hi !

To change the sector size on a scsi harddisk you need :

- a scsi harddisk with a changeable format mode page (most micropolis, fujitsu and hitachi disks maybe yours ;-) ) and

- a utility to chnage the mode page (scu for unix) (here: www.bit-net.com/~rmiller/kits/scu)

If you have further questions, post them in the forum. I'll try to answer....

[Kenneth Hjelmstad]

Tried opening the link you included without success, but it may be that they are down at this time, so will try later. I did a Google search on the link and it came back with one correct hit but clicking on that failed as well. It appears that this is a Unix or Linux utility, in any case, which I am only slightly familiar with. If that is the case, I would still like to pursue it, although I may need more assistance than you are prepared to offer. Hope to hear back from you, but I understand if this is too tall an order. Thanks for the tip. (So block size and sector size are synonomous?)

[Ralf Neerfeld]

Hi !

You are right: The scu Utility is a UNIX/LINUX Programm. I used this programm to convert a 512 byte per sector disk to a 256 byte per sector format. I use sector size and block size as equivalent because they are in many aspects.

There is another (dos based) tool named "scsicntl" which relies on a Adaptec 1505 oder 1542 Controller in your computer, but i wasn't succesful with this tool (maybe wrong understanding ....)

Tell me how i can help you (sending the code or ....)

[Adiyanto]

Hi,

You need very old SCSI utility in DOS (DSP220.EXE) and ASPI manager for DOS to read SCSI mode sense and write back to drive.
ASPI-ID.EXE will help to understand the meaning of any pages and bytes.
With those utilities you can inspect which bytes in all pages can be changed.
I don't know where you can download those but I can send to you.
Just let me know where I can put.