User's Guide Personal Computer 3865X Plus

Appendix C
Physically Formatting a Hard Disk
This appendix describes how to physically format a hard disk.
Sometimes called a low-level format, this procedure should not
be confused with the logical format performed by the MS-DOS
FORMAT command. The physical formatting of a hard disk is a
separate step that is usually done at the factory by the disk
manufacturer.
If your computer came with a hard disk, or if you have installed
an optional Epson hard disk, it has already been physically
formatted. You need only follow the instructions in the
MS-DOS Installation Guide to prepare your hard disk for use.
If you have installed a hard disk that came with its own format
utility, use that program to physically format the disk.
You may need to use the procedure in this chapter to physically
format a hard disk if either of the following is true:
Cl Your hard disk is producing numerous read/write errors or
you are having other serious problems with the disk.
Sometimes, after a hard disk has been used for a long time,
the disk’s data becomes fragmented, causing the disk to
frequently produce errors. You may need to reformat the
disk in this case.
0 You have installed a non-Epson hard disk in your computer
that has never received the low-level format and did not
come with its own format utility.
Caution
Physically formatting a hard disk erases any data it contains.
If you have any data on the disk or you are unsure if
formatting is necessary, contact your Epson dealer for
assistance.
Physically Formatting a Hard Disk C-1