From: taob@terranet.cts.com (Brian Tao)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Problem formatting disks
Date: 7 Oct 92 02:11:11 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Internet


    A friend is having trouble formatting disks on his networked Apple IIGS
and we think there might be a bug in the system software (6.0).  I've
buffered the discussion on a local BBS and I'll repost the relevant
messages here.  Can anyone suggest a solution?

===

Msg #6800 in *Apple IIgs* Created on 10/03/92 at 23:59:34
To: ALL, From: JIM LOW
Subject: Formatting problem
MESSAGE HAS REPLIES.

I have two Apple IIgs's and have run into a problem of formatting disks on
one of them.  I have a total of three 3.5" drives (Apple) for the two
systems.  They all format okay on one system.  They all give problems
formatting disks of the other system.  I've tried all possible combinations
of one or two on both.

On the system giving problems, the problem occurs well over half the time:
I hear the "chunking" for a while, then the "chunking" stops, but the light
remains on - and the only way out of the probelme is to use the three
finger salute.  I've listened carefully - almost always, there are exactly
40 "chunks" during the formatting - then silence as the disk continued to
spin.  Interesting, as there are supposed to be 80 "chunks" for a full
format.

Now - get this:  the problem occurs if I try to format from the Finder or
ProSel 16.  But there is _never_ a problem formatting using Copy II Plus
9.1.

Anyone have an idea what may be wrong?

===

Msg #6840 in *Apple IIgs* Created on 10/04/92 at 14:52:03
To: STEPHEN BROWN [Recvd], From: JIM LOW
Subject: Formatting problem
MESSAGE HAS REPLIES.

I did some experimenting regarding my formatting problem mentioned earlier.
I found it formatted fine as long as there were no more than nine volumes
on-line.  There was a mixture of local and Appletalk volumes. I discovered,
at 8 volumes, the "clunking" sound seemed a little slower and somewhat
erratic.  It was more noticeable at 9 volumes, but it formatted and
verified.  At 10 volumes, I got about 60 "clunks" before it failed.  With
17 volumes, it goes for about 35 irregular "clunks."

On my other computer, I had no problem formetting with 10 volumes online -
but there were no local on-line hard drives - just two 3.5" drives,
RAMdisk, and the rest Appletalk volumes.  But I _did_ notice at 10 volumes,
the formatting was somewhat slower.

Even with all 17 volumes on-line, I have no problem formatting from COPY II
PLUS or ProTerm.   But as soon as I try formatting from within 16 bit
software, the problem appears.  I also tried specifying 4:1 from the Finder
format - it seemed to go a little further into the formatting, but stilled
failed.

I suspect the number of volumes, and types (floppy, hard drives, Appletalk)
is a factor - but I don't know what.  Any more ideas?

===

Msg #6934 in *Apple IIgs* Created on 10/06/92 at 00:32:58
To: BRIAN TAO [Recvd], From: JIM LOW
Subject: (Reply To #6928) Devices online

Let's see if I miscounted:  Devices online with my Apple IIgs:
Local:
 5 hard drive partitions (on two SCSI hard drives)
 2 3.5" drives
 2 5.25" drives
 1 RAMdisk
Network:
Mac LC
 1 hard drive (just 1 partition)
 1 RAMdisk
Mac Plus
 4 hard drive partitions (on one drive - experimenting with partitions)
 1 RAMdisk

Yep, that's 17.

Should I make more partitions and see what happens with more on-line
volumes? <grin>

And I can access all 17 from within AppleSoft BASIC using the CAT /prefix
command.

Of course, I have to remove 5 devices before running AppleWorks, or I
crash into the monitor on boot.  A complaint about the AppleWorks manual:
it doesn't appear to document that fact.

===
--
Brian T. Tao    =*8-) | ::::::::> tcomtaob@chasm.scar.utoronto.ca <::::::::
Dept. of Exobiology   | :::::> generic!terranet!taob@zoo.toronto.edu <:::::
University of Toronto | "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2