North Star DIMENSION Service Manual page 129

DIAGNOSTICS
Service Diskette #2
Introduction Service Diskette #2 contains a menu-driven set of programs
used for testing the diskette drive as well as testing,
formatting and labeling the fixed disk drive(s). Samples of
error screens that may appear during use of this diskette
and an error code matrix are located later in this chapter.
Cautionary Options A, B, C and D on Service Diskette #2 are
Notes destructive to stored data . Backup fixed disks before
beginning these tests.
Option A, the diskette drive test, is only as reliable as
the blank diskette you use to conduct the test. If the
test indicates a problem, rerun the test with a different
blank diskette. Don't replace a diskette drive before
confirming errors with a second diskette.
Suggestion : the following technique facilitates diagnosis
of diskette drive alignment problems.
During system installation, create a reference diskette by
copying the contents of Service Diskette #2 to a new
diskette. When servicing the system in the future, have
the diskette drive attempt to read the data on the
reference diskette. If it cannot read the data without
errors, the drive may require alignment.
Before using options B, C and D on Service Diskette #2,
remove the central module cover and copy the
information from the fixed disk drive label. Make note
of the five-character drive code and all entries in the
Bad Track Table (cylinder and head locations of each bad
track).
^t Format and label fixed disks (option D) before using the
Fixed Disk Drive Tests (options B and Q. These tests
automatically record bad tracks on the Bad Track Table;
therefore, the table must be generated before the test
begins.
DIMENSION Service Manual 3-17