IBM PC/2 25 Hardware Maintenance Reference page 23

HMR Diagnostics for Non Micro Channel
Formatting a Fixed Disk Drive
5.3.2 Formatting a Fixed Disk Drive
To allow for defective tracks, fixed disk drives normally contain tracks
in excess of their stated capacity. When the defect limit has been
reached and service is recommended, the user is notified by a diagnostic
message.
The Advanced Diagnostics Format program is different from the operating
system format program. Before the customer can transfer information from
the backup diskettes to the fixed disk drive, the fixed disk drive must be
formatted using the operating system format program. Have the customer
refer to the operating system manual for a description of the fixed disk
preparation commands.
Warning: All data on the selected fixed disk drive is destroyed during a
format operation or surface analysis.
¦ Copyright IBM Corp. 1990
5.3.2 - 1