Lenovo Aptiva Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) for Aptiva 2173, 2178 and 2179 - Page 152

Cause The boot sector on the start-up drive is corrupted. The drive is defective. Actions The drive must be formatted, do the following: 1. Attempt to access and recover (back-up) the failing hard disk drive. 2. Using the operating systems programs, format the hard disk drive. 3. Go to "Preparing the hard disk drive for use" on page 142. Replace the hard disk drive. When to use the Low-Level Format program Notes 1. The low-level format is not available on all diagnostic diskettes. 2. Before formatting the hard disk drive, make a back-up copy of the files on the drive to be formatted. Use the Low-Level Format program: When you are installing software that requires a low-level format When you get recurring messages from the test programs directing you to run the Low-Level Format program on the hard disk As a last resort before replacing a hard disk drive Preparing the hard disk drive for use When the Low-Level Format program is finished, restore to the hard disk all the files that you previously backed up. 1. Partition the remainder of the hard disk for your operating system. (The commands vary with the operating system. Refer to your operating-system manual for instructions.) 2. Format the hard disk using your operating system. (The commands vary with the operating system. Refer to your operating-system manual for instructions.) 3. Install the operating system. You are now ready to restore the files. 142 IBM PC 300/IntelliStation/Aptiva Vol 2 HMM