From: agc@weasel.demon.co.uk (Alan Charlton) Subject: Re: Linux and big disks Date: Sat, 28 Nov 1992 21:48:28 +0000
In article <1992Nov28.034923.25112@fylz.wa.com> fyl@fylz.wa.com (Phil Hughes) writes:
> I just went to load Linux on my 1.4GB SCSI disk. The data sheet says
> "average sectors per track (with spares) 87. Linux fdisk accepts up
> to 63.
>
> Now what?
>
Most big disks use some sort of sector translation method, whereby the *actual*
drive geometry differs from that shown in the CMOS.
First of all, multiply SPT*CYL*HDS*512 where SPT=sectors per track, CYL=no.
of cylinders, HDS=no. of heads and 512 is the standard sector size. The final
number will be the total byte capacity of the disk. Now try a few combinations
of the above, bearing in mind that the CMOS won't support greater tha 1024 SPT.
Start with a base of 63 SPT, and alter the *apparent* head-count and no. of
cylinders to suit. This usually works!
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
- Alan.
+---------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Alan Charlton, Bristol, England | If B.U.R.D. doesn't spell Bird |
| agc@cix.compulink.co.uk | - what the hell does it spell? |
| agc@weasel.demon.co.uk | |
| Tel: +44 454 202706 (after 6) | --- W. R. Hearst |
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