[NTLUG:Discuss] bad blocks in hda2

[Fred James]

Tom Woody wrote:

>On Wed, 2003-06-11 at 11:30, Fred James wrote:
>  
>
>>I think I have been seeing a pattern - RH installer for 7.3 and 9 (I 
>>have no experience with 8), if asked to check for bad block while 
>>formatting, seem to find them in hda2 no matter which computer I install 
>>on.  I tend to set up a /, /boot, /swap, and /home, and RH always makes 
>>/ into hda2 - using Druid (if I spelled that right).  Any colaboration 
>>on that?  Any thoughts or comments?  Am I all wet?
>>
>>    
>>
>I guess you are pretty positive there aren't any bad blocks on those
>drives.  Because I set up my drives the same as you...and I have
>installed RH6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, and 9.0 multiple times on multiple
>hardware platforms with a multitude of drives and never once seen a bad
>block notice that wasn't confirmed by other OS's (Windows, or OpenBSD)
>
>  
>
I wouldn't ever call myself that positive - early training, probably - 
but I would call myself forgetful.  I forgot to mention (always that 
missing piece) that on the first install no bad block were found, but on 
reinstall they were.  I often install [, reinstall ... ] - trying 
different things - on the same piece of hardware.  So, forgive me if I 
repete:
(1) First install - no bad blocks.
(2) Reinstall - bad blocks
Maybe I just don't know how to clear off a disk well enough - assuming 
deleting partitions, adding partitions, and formatting isn't enough.  
Maybe the hardware is crap to start with.  I don't do a lot with other 
OSs, but when I do it is true that they don't complain about that same 
hardware.  I won't mention the drives that I know are going south, or 
have known were going south, may their sweet little hard working little 
souls rest in whatever state you prefer.
I will mention again - never experienced anything like this below RH 7.3 
- on this same hardware - sometimes when something goes funny, I may try 
an earlier version again to compare.
One last note - ext2 or ext3 doesn't seem to make any difference.
DISCLAIMER:  I doubt any of this has been very scientifically done.

-- 
never underestimate the value of backups