How to reformat HDD & SSD to 512B Sector Size

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shpitz461

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In case anyone wants to do the formatting in parallel, this is how you do it in linux (I'm running it currently on ProxMox, with a NetApp DS4246 I just purchased from eBay):
parallel -j0 sg_format --format --size=512 -e ::: /dev/sg{0..23}
Click to expand...
This command formats 24 disks concurrently.
Format will be running in the background.
If you want to get status, this is the command to do so for all disks:
parallel -j0 sg_requests ::: /dev/sg{0..23}
Click to expand...
 
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hkdio

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Feb 21, 2024
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I got 5 DOPE1920S5xnNMRI

Please found firmware update for

This update is extracted from HPE_3PAR_INFORM_OS_RLS_3.3.2_QR482-11525.iso

You may use "SanDiskGuard Special Edition" to update firmware

1712288911106.png

However, I want to use Sandisk Generic SSD firmware instead of 3Par version.

Optimus Eco SSD Drive Firmware

Find detailed answers to your support questions for your Western Digital, SanDisk, WD_BLACK, or WD storage product.
support-en.wd.com support-en.wd.com
 

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soru

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Hello i'm having a lot of trouble expanding my RAID 5 array on a p420i controller 6.6.8 in HPE proliant dll360p gen8. I have 5 slots with 1,2TB SAS from when i bought the server now i want to expand with extra 3 drives i bought from ebay taken from netapp server.

My hypervisor is esxi 6.7 wmware

I came across the switch to HBA mode on controller solution but the problem is this is my only storage option and switching to HBA requires an array delete = loosing all my data.

is there any method i can format the three drives so my controller can recognise them without loosing data?

Or should i just start calling IT shops until i find someone who can format them for me?

Can i add this card in my PC or server to use it to format the drives?

www.ebay.com

Dell SAS H200E 6Gbps HBA 2Port 012DNW | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dell SAS H200E 6Gbps HBA 2Port 012DNW at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

Any advice will help me and keep me from buying HP drives for 200€ each
 
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mrpasc

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Jan 8, 2022
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soru said:
I came across the switch to HBA mode on controller solution but the problem is this is my only storage option and switching to HBA requires an array delete = loosing all my data.

is there any method i can format the three drives so my controller can recognise them without loosing data?
Click to expand...
In theorie you should be able to disconnect/offline/export/ or however it’s called in HP speech your existing RAID array, power down your server, physically disconnect your existing disks of the array.
Then switch your Raidcontroller to HBA, connect only the new disks. Boot a Linux from a stick which comes with sg3 utils (RescueLinux or something like that). Do your sg_format with your new disks. Power down, disconnect the new disks. Change controller back to RAID. Connect your existing disks. Import your raid array (import foreign configuration for LSI based ones, no clue how it’s called for the HPE ones, use google and manual). After you confirmed the existing array working (best to trigger a patrol read) power down again, add your new disks, power on and expand your array.
Myself would not try this whiteout a proper backup before.
 
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soru

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mrpasc said:
In theorie you should be able to disconnect/offline/export/ or however it’s called in HP speech your existing RAID array, power down your server, physically disconnect your existing disks of the array.
Then switch your Raidcontroller to HBA, connect only the new disks. Boot a Linux from a stick which comes with sg3 utils (RescueLinux or something like that). Do your sg_format with your new disks. Power down, disconnect the new disks. Change controller back to RAID. Connect your existing disks. Import your raid array (import foreign configuration for LSI based ones, no clue how it’s called for the HPE ones, use google and manual). After you confirmed the existing array working (best to trigger a patrol read) power down again, add your new disks, power on and expand your array.
Myself would not try this whiteout a proper backup before.
Click to expand...
Would it not work if i boot linux from USB as is? sg3 utils canot target specific drives? Does the controler card need to be in HBA mode for sg3 to work?
 
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mrpasc

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soru said:
Would it not work if i boot linux from USB as is? sg3 utils canot target specific drives? Does the controler card need to be in HBA mode for sg3 to work?
Click to expand...
You can give this a try, for sure you can target specific drives with sg3-utils. Unfortunately chances are high that the reformat will not work with a Raid card, several users reported issues when not using a HBA. But it’s your system and your data, so your decision.
 
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soru

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mrpasc said:
You can give this a try, for sure you can target specific drives with sg3-utils. Unfortunately chances are high that the reformat will not work with a Raid card, several users reported issues when not using a HBA. But it’s your system and your data, so your decision.
Click to expand...
Can i use my PC with lsi sas HBA card installed in PCIE slot to format these drives? and then after format to be inserted to HP?

im loooking into


or this

 
Fritz

Fritz

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Apr 6, 2015
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soru said:
Can i use my PC with lsi sas HBA card installed in PCIE slot to format these drives? and then after format to be inserted to HP?

im loooking into


or this

Click to expand...
That first HBA is old as dirt. the second would probably work but there are better deals to be had on ebay.
 
nabsltd

nabsltd

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Jan 26, 2022
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Fritz said:
But the cost of the cable needs to be factored in.
Click to expand...
To me, a 12Gbps card and cable is a better deal long term than a 6Gbps card that uses your already-purchased cable.

I think about the cost compared to the total price of the system, and for a "1x" item (like an HBA), spending a few dollars more total isn't a big deal when I have to buy 12x 10TB drives to connect to that HBA.
 
Fritz

Fritz

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nabsltd said:
To me, a 12Gbps card and cable is a better deal long term than a 6Gbps card that uses your already-purchased cable.

I think about the cost compared to the total price of the system, and for a "1x" item (like an HBA), spending a few dollars more total isn't a big deal when I have to buy 12x 10TB drives to connect to that HBA.
Click to expand...
I agree. But a few members here would consider the cost of the cable to be a factor. I'm not one of them.
 
DouglasteR

DouglasteR

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Dec 19, 2015
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Hi again folks.

Managed to get these drives for a really good price !

Do anyone know if they are formattable to 512b ?

IMG_20240417_193226.jpg
 
W

Whaaat

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Jan 31, 2020
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DouglasteR said:
Do anyone know if they are formattable to 512b
Click to expand...
Depends on the firmware. They could be formattable to 512 with IBM controllers only OR they can be easily managed by any generic HBA. Give a try and share results
Some IBM branded HGST drives that I have in possession arrived security locked, but easily reformattable once foreign security config cleared.
 
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DouglasteR

DouglasteR

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Whaaat said:
Depends on the firmware. They could be formattable to 512 with IBM controllers only OR they can be easily managed by any generic HBA. Give a try and share results
Some IBM branded HGST drives that I have in possession arrived security locked, but easily reformattable once foreign security config cleared.
Click to expand...
Thanks, will try this weekend on my LSI HBA and report back.
 
DouglasteR

DouglasteR

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Dec 19, 2015
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Whaaat said:
Depends on the firmware. They could be formattable to 512 with IBM controllers only OR they can be easily managed by any generic HBA. Give a try and share results
Some IBM branded HGST drives that I have in possession arrived security locked, but easily reformattable once foreign security config cleared.
Click to expand...
Err, looks like i need help.

I can see them just fine, but can't format or sanitize either (disconsider the Micron, the drives in questions are the IBM ones).

Error in sg_format:
Cmd.PNG

Error in sg_sanitize:
Sanitiz.PNG

Error while trying to initialize the drive in Windows:
Format_error.PNG

The drive as seen by LSi Authority:
Lsi2.PNG

Any help with unlocking or anything to format them to 512 will be greatly appreciated !

Thanks :D
 

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Whaaat

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I guess that seller already tried to format them hence a good price...
Your LSI controller GUI doesn't look like an HBA, but 'unconfigured good' status means the drive is not security locked or formatted with PI. Try to format it with HUGO
 
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