Epson 386/25 - Manual (Page 235)

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 factory-installed 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:
Your hard disk is producing numerous read/write errors or
you are having other serious problems with it. Sometimes,
after a hard disk has been used for a long time, its data
becomes fragmented, causing the disk to perform less
efficiently or produce errors. You may want to reformat the
disk in this case.
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.
Physically formatting a hard disk erases any data it contains. Be
sure to back up all the data on your hard disk to diskettes before
you format it. See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for
instructions on backing up data.
Physically Formatting a Hard Disk C-1