NAME

dinit − disk initializer

SYNOPSIS

/etc/dinit [−afqnrRsTx] [−d desc] [−b boot file] [−t file] type /dev/rdsk/prefix_cXdYs7

DESCRIPTION

The dinit program can be used to initialize specified disk types.  The type must be a file in the directory /etc/dskdefs.  See mvme328(7) and scsi1x7(7) for lists of supported devices and their associated type values. 

For disk types with bad track handling, the alternate track numbers will be taken from the file /etc/dskdefs/type.  Note that although sector slip format type is supported, the disk driver does not use this for dynamic error correction.  Because the sector slip format decreases the amount of usable space on the disk, its use is discouraged.  Use the −n option to add bad spots to a disk format. 

The /dev/rdsk/prefix_cXdYs7 file must be slice seven of the character special file of the device.  prefix is the device type, cX is the controller number of that device, dY is the device number for the controller, and sZ is the slice number.  See intro(7) for complete lists of controllers, devices, and slices. 

The following options are provided for dinit:

−r Read bad spot list from disk and print it on stdout. 

−a Use with −r option to print alternates. 

−x Use with −r option to print in hexadecimal. 

−n Add a new bad spot (see below). 

−s Skip saving and restoring of data when adding a new spot. 

−f Format disk.  When formatting an unformatted disk, two read errors appear on the screen.  These errors occur because the controller is trying to read configuration information from the disk.  The messages can be ignored; the disk will be formatted as requested. 

-q Format quickly.  This option may be used in conjunction with the -f option.  dinit will perform all of the work involved in formatting the disk except actually (physically) formatting it.  This can be useful when a disk has been formatted in the past but the disk identification information has been destroyed. 

−R Read manufacturer’s defect list and print it on stdout. 

−d desc Use desc as description string in sector 0. 

−b boot-file
Use boot file (a.out format) as the bootloader program.  The standard bootloader is /usr/lib/boot. 

−t file Take bad track numbers from file, instead of interactively.  This option only works when the −f option is used. 

−T file Take bad track numbers in track format; default for SCSI disks is block number. 

Unless the −f option is given, dinit will use the parameters and bad spot information existing on the disk.  Therefore, it is not necessary to re-enter bad track numbers on subsequent uses of dinit on a disk.  This is useful for changing the bootloader, description string, and so on.  To change other disk parameters, refer to ddefs(1M). 

The disk driver may occasionally report an I/O error for a bad spot not mapped out in the original format to the system console.  In such cases the new bad spot may be mapped without formatting the entire disk using the −n option only. 

The the error message from the disk driver will contain the bad block number of the new bad spot.  The bad block number should be entered when prompted by dinit. 

dinit will attempt to save the data from the new bad track unless the −s option is specified.  If attempting to save data, expect I/O errors from the disk driver while dinit is executing.  This process may not be able to recover all the data because there may be unreadable sectors on the new bad track.  If the new bad track is within a vital area on the disk, the disk may become unbootable or there may be extensive file system damage.  Examples of vital areas include the configuration area (sector 0), bootloader (sectors 1 through 12), slice table (usually sector 20), and super blocks (location depends on disk slicing). 

FILES

/etc/dskdefsdisk definition file
/usr/lib/bootbootstrap program

SEE ALSO

ddefs(1M), fmthard(1M), mvme328(7), scsi1x7(7). 

NOTES

dinit must be executed over the slice representing the entire raw device (that is, slice 7).