Hard disk erasure

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AIX permits hdisks to be erased using the Format media service aid in the AIX® diagnostic package. The diagnostic package is fully documented in the Diagnostic Information for Multiple Bus Systems book, and in your hardware user's guide.

To erase a hard disk, run the following command:

diag -T "format"

This command starts the Format media service aid in a menu driven interface. If prompted, select your terminal.

A resource selection list is displayed. Select the hdisk devices you want to erase from this list and commit your changes according to the instructions on the screen.

After committing your selections, select Erase Disk from the menu. You are then asked to confirm your selection. Choose Yes.

You are then asked if you want to Read data from drive or Write patterns to drive. Select Write patterns to drive.

You then have the opportunity to modify the disk erasure options. After you specify the options you prefer, select Commit Your Changes . The disk is erased.

Note: It can take a long time for this process to complete.