Lenovo M55p - ThinkCentre - 8808 Hardware Maintenance Manual page 51

what devices are available for test, what tests are available for the device, device properties, and so on. To
change testing parameters, you modify the FDAT.INI file in PC Doctor for DOS.
FDAT consists of the following subtests and features.
Fixed-Disk Tests:
• Seek Tests: - checks the physical operation of the drive head.
– Linear Seek
– Random Seek
– Min-Max Seek
– Butterfly Seek
• Verify Tests: - checks the integrity of the data present on the media.
– Linear Verify
– Random Verify
• Surface Scan Tests: - checks the drive media for defects.
– Surface Scan (Linear)
– Surface Scan (Aggressive) - this is disabled for normal customer use.
– Surface Scan (Random)
• Self-monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) - checks the SMART functionality for
drives that support SMART.
– Start SMART Self-Test
Other Test Features:
• Write-Splice Repair - detects and corrects Error Correction Code errors during Verify tests.
• Auto Spin Down - a gradual spin down of the drive platters to avoid damaging the media.
• Manufacturer Log - an in-depth manufacturer supported log of errors on the drive.
Multitasking:
To allow simultaneous testing of multiple hard drives whenever possible, the FDAT module is written as a
set of multitasking functions. Each drive under test can run the same test or run a different test at the
same time. Each subtest is written to handle a single test pass and all test variables are kept track of in a
structure unique for each drive.
However, when testing IDE drives, FDAT will not perform simultaneous testing of IDE drives that are attached
to the same IDE cable. For example, if FDAT is testing four IDE drives on a PC, it will perform simultaneous
testing on drives 1 and 3 first (master drives), then perform tests on 2 and 4 (slave drives). FDAT will also
perform simultaneous testing on a master and slave that are on separate IDE cables, but will not perform
simultaneous tests on a master and slave on the same IDE cable. This generally increases the amount of
time needed to test multiple IDE drives.
Another limitation of FDAT'S multitasking capability is the use of Ultra DMA (UDMA). Only one drive at a
time can access the UDMA channel and the UDMA channel buffer must be kept high in order to maintain a
speed advantage over other data transfer modes. In order to use the UDMA channel during testing, users
must disable the multitasking feature.
Destructive versus non-destructive testing:
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Chapter 5 Diagnostics