On another forum I was trying to address a RAID issue. They indicated I should low level format a drive and then add it back to the RAID array and ask it to rebuild on it. I think the reason they recommend the low level format is to remove any data the RAID utility may have written to effect the RAID.
~~~
I tried to first use 'LLFsetup.2.21.1108.exe' & then 'HDDWIPEsetup.2.20.1098.exe' but recieved the same error ("error accessing device: Incorrect function" when running on a w2k server).
~~~
I then tried 'HDDScan version 2.5' and was able to use the erase feature.
~~~
Is this equivelent or do I need to find a low level format tool that I can use?

If your RAID BIOS is reporting a fault or impending fault it is only garnering this information from the HDD(S) themselves.

I would suggest that if there is a reason that you are worried about this RAID that you get rid of the problem disk, in normal operation you will never come across bad sectors, or media integrity problems.

HDDs relocate bad sectors or problem areas as part of their operation, if you have a problem like this most manufacturers will replace the disk, no questions asked, I suggest if you are in warranty that you inquire about this.

If a RAID utility is reporting on a problem with a disk, it is only good course to remove it, replace it, backup and then rebuild, don't ever rebuild without backing up, if another disk fails whilst backing up you have a problem, if it fails whilst rebuilding an array, you have an extremely expensive problem that only proffessional DR companies can help you with!

I concur: a rebuild puts more stress on the remaining drives and may cause for additional block remapping on the drives, potentially maxing out the P-List before all blocks are read and the resync is completed, causing a second drive to fail and for the array to die. Always have a recent backup before a rebuild...

Of course, if the array is full, then the backup process may just lead to the same issue, but hey, at least you've got some of the data.

-brendan

Thanks for the input. i have gotten backups. This RAID device Sil 3112A is notorious for discarding a drive in a mirror and not allowing you to rebuild to the same drive (though nothing is wrong with the dirve). The RAID manufacturer came out with a BIOS update but my motherboard manufacturer did not release a BIOS that had the updated RAID BIOS. Our current direction is to see if the Array will rebuild to a clean drive (they recommended low level format) as it is not working to a formated drive that was part of the array but discarded for no known reason.

I still need to know if a erase of the drive is equivelent to a low level format or do a need to find another tool that I can use to do a low-level?

Probably is equivalent *for your application*, where you want the chip to see a drive that has no RAID config on it.

The closest thing to a "low-level" format* that you could do easily would be to use the "full read/write diagnostic" or equivalent available in the manufacturer's tools, usually via a boot floppy or boot CD.

-brendan

* these days, only the factory performs a low level format, since the read/write heads don't actually write the servo information on the disks, only specialized factory equipment does.