SIP3134

Use this procedure to resolve the following problem: Disk unit requires format before use (SRC xxxx9092).

The possible causes are:

Disk unit is a previously failed disk unit from a disk array and was automatically replaced by a hot spare disk unit.
Disk unit is a previously failed disk unit from a disk array and was removed and later reinstalled on a different adapter or different location on this adapter.
Appropriate service procedures were not followed when replacing disk units or reconfiguring the adapter, such as not performing a normal power off of the system prior to reconfiguring disk units and adapters.
Disk unit is a member of a disk array, but was detected subsequent to the adapter being configured.
Disk unit has multiple or complex configuration problems.

Identify the affected adapter and disk units by examining the product activity log. Perform the following steps:
1. Access SST or DST.
  - If you can enter a command at the console, access system service tools (SST). See System service tools.
  - If you cannot enter a command at the console, perform an IPL to DST. See Performing an IPL to dedicated service tools.
  - If you cannot perform a type A or B IPL, perform a type D IPL from removable media.
2. Access the product activity log and record address information.
  If a type D IPL was not performed to get to SST or DST:
  
  The log information is formatted. Access the product activity log and display the SRC that sent you here. Press the F9 key for address information. This is the adapter address. Then, press F12 to cancel and return to the previous screen. Then press the F4 key to view the additional information to record the formatted log information. The Device Errors Detected field indicates the total number of disk units that are affected. The Device Errors Logged field indicates the number of disk units for which detailed information is provided. Under the Device heading, the unit address, type, serial number, and worldwide ID are provided for up to three disk units. Additionally, the adapter type, serial number, and worldwide ID for each of these disk units indicates the adapter to which the disk was last attached when it was operational.
  
  If a type D IPL was performed to get to DST:
  
  The log information is not formatted. Access the product activity log and display the SRC that sent you here. The direct select address (DSA) of the adapter is in the format BBBB-xxxx:
  BBBB
  
  Hexadecimal offsets 4C and 4D
  
  xxxx
  
  Not used
  
  In order to interpret the hexadecimal information to get device addresses, see Examples: Obtaining additional information from hexadecimal reports. The Device Errors detected field indicates the total number of disk units that are affected. The Device Errors logged field indicates the number of disk units for which detailed information is provided. Under the Device heading, the unit address, type, serial number, and Worldwide ID are provided for up to three disk units. Additionally, the adapter type, serial number, and Worldwide ID for each of these disk units indicates the adapter to which the disk was last attached when it was operational.
3. Determine the location of the adapter and the devices that are causing the problem. Go to Addresses and find the following items:
  - The card slot that is identified by the direct select address (DSA)
  - The disk unit locations that are identified by the unit addresses
  Have you determined the location of the adapter and the devices that are causing the problem?
  - No: Ask your next level of support for assistance. This ends the procedure.
  - Yes: Continue with the next step.
Are there other disk unit or adapter errors that have occurred at about the same time as this error?
No:

Go to step 3.

Yes:

Go to step 5.
Have the adapter card or disk units been physically moved recently?
No:

Go to step 4.

Yes:

Go to step 6.
Is the data on the disk units needed for this or any other system?
No:

Go to step 7.

Yes:

Go to step 6.
Take action on the other errors that have occurred at the same time as this error. This ends the procedure.
Perform one of the following options that is most applicable to your situation:
Option 1
Perform the following steps to cause the adapter to rediscover the devices and connections:
Note: Performing this step causes the system partition to temporarily hang. Wait until the system bypasses the temporary hang.
1. Use the logical resources IO debug option in Hardware Service Manager to perform another IPL of the virtual I/O processor that is associated with this adapter.
2. Vary on any other resources attached to the virtual I/O processor.
Take action for any other errors that are now occurring. This ends the procedure.
Option 2

Power off the system or partition and restore the adapter and disk units to their original configuration. This ends the procedure.

Option 3

Remove the disk units from this adapter. This ends the procedure.
Do the following steps to format the disk units:
Attention: All data on the disk units will be lost.
If a type D IPL was not performed to get to SST or DST:
1. Access SST or DST.
2. Select Work with disk units > Work with disk unit recovery > Disk unit problem recovery procedures.
3. Select Initialize and format disk unit for each disk unit. When the new disk unit is initialized and formatted, the display shows that the status is complete. This might take 30 minutes or much longer depending on the capacity of the disk unit. The disk unit is now ready to be added to the system configuration. This ends the procedure.
If a type D IPL was performed to get to DST:
1. Access DST.
2. Select Work with disk units.
3. Select Initialize and format disk unit for each disk unit. When the new disk unit is initialized and formatted, the display shows that the status is complete. This might take 30 minutes or much longer depending on the capacity of the disk unit. The disk unit is now ready to be added to the system configuration. This ends the procedure.

Last updated: Wed, June 19, 2019