Using the SCSISelect Utility program - Netfinity 8500R

Resolving The Problem

NOTE: If the server has a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) adapter installed, use the configuration method that comes with the RAID adapter to view or change SCSI settings for attached devices.

The server comes with a menu-driven configuration utility, called SCSISelect, that allows you to view and change SCSI settings.

You can use the SCSISelect Utility program to:

• View and change the default SCSI IDs
• Verify and change configuration conflicts
• Perform a low-level format on a SCSI hard disk

Starting the SCSISelect Utility program
You can access this program when you start the server. The SCSISelect prompt appears after the IBM logo appears. Press Ctrl+A immediately after the following SCSISelect prompt appears:

<<< Press <CTRL><A> for SCSISelect Utility! >>>

Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to move the highlight bar to the various menu choices. Press Esc to return to the previous menu. Also, you can press the F5 key to switch between color and monochrome modes (if the monitor permits). To change the settings of the displayed items, follow the directions on the screen. Then, press Enter.

SCSISelect Utility program choices
The following choices appear on the SCSISelect Utility program menu:

• Configure/View Host Adapter Settings
• SCSI Disk Utilities

Configure/view host adapter settings
To view or change the SCSI controller settings, select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings and follow the directions on the screen.

• Host adapter SCSI ID: The default SCSI ID of the SCSI controller is 7. Do not change this value.
• SCSI parity checking: The default value is Enabled. Do not change this value.
• Host adapter SCSI termination: The default value is Automatic. Do not change this value.
• Boot device configuration: Select this choice to configure startable device parameters. Before you can make updates, you must know the ID of the device whose parameters you want to configure.
• SCSI Device Configuration: Select this choice to configure SCSI device parameters. Before you can make updates, you must know the ID of the device whose parameters you want to configure.

NOTE: For external SCSI tape drives, set Send Start Unit Command to Off for that SCSI ID. This ensures proper server operation. When the Maximum Sync Transfer Rate is set to 40.0, this value represents the transfer rate for UltraSCSI devices. When the Maximum Sync Transfer Rate is set to 20.0, this value represents the transfer rate for Fast SCSI devices.

• Advanced Configuration Options: Select this choice to view or change the settings for advanced configuration options. These options include enabling support for large hard disk drives and support for drives with UltraSCSI speed.
• BIOS Information: The BIOS information appears on the Configure/View Host Adapter Settings main menu screen. The BIOS information is displayed in a pop-up window, below the selectable menu items. This window contains the following values:

These values vary according to the current BIOS settings for the server; however, you cannot change the settings for the BIOS information.

To reset the SCSI controller defaults, press F6; then, follow the directions on the screen.

SCSI disk utilities
To see the IDs that are assigned to each SCSI device or to format a SCSI device, select SCSI Disk Utilities from the SCSISelect Utility program menu.

To use the utility, select a drive from the list. Read the screens carefully before making a selection.

NOTE: If the following screen appears, you might have pressed Ctrl+A before the selected drives were ready. Restart the server and watch for the SCSISelect messages as each drive spins up. After the drive that you want to view or format spins up, press Ctrl+A.

Performing a low-level disk format
You can use the Format Disk feature of the SCSISelect Utility program to perform a low-level format on a hard disk drive. The amount of processing time that the low-level format program requires will vary according to the hard disk drive capacity.

When to use the low-level format program
Use the Low-Level Format program in the following situations:

• When you are installing software that requires a low-level format
• When you get recurring messages from the diagnostic tests directing you to run the Low-Level Format program on the hard disk drive
• As a last resort before replacing a failing hard disk drive

NOTE: For information on backing up all of your files, see the operating-system documentation.

Starting the low-level format program

Attention: The low-level format program erases all data and programs.

NOTE: If the server has a RAID adapter installed, refer to the RAID adapter documentation for instructions for performing a low-level format on a hard disk drive attached to the PCI RAID adapter.

1. If the hard disk is working, make a backup copy of all the files and programs on the hard disk drive.
2. Select Format Disk; then, follow the instructions on the screen.
   
   NOTE: Hard disks normally contain more tracks than their stated capacity (to allow for defective tracks). A message appears on the screen if the defect limit is reached. If this happens, have the system serviced.

3. To install an operating system after the hard disk drive is formatted, follow the instructions in the "ServerGuide and Netfinity Manager Information" section of the Server Library.