[ale] Response to my own post on UDMA issues.

[jeff hubbs]

Michael Smith wrote:

> I just did a search on write verify and found this intersting blurb from 
> Maxtor...
> 
> Enabling Write Verify provides an additional level of data verification to 
> the already strong Error Correction Control (ECC) procedures implemented on 
> Maxtor hard drives. This feature should only be enabled for applications 
> that are writing extremely critical data to the hard drive.
> 
> from:
> 
> http://www.maxtor.com/products/diamondmax/techsupport/technicalprocedures/21
> 008.html
> 
> What I want to know is how the hard drive determines what is not critical 
> data?  When I swap out is this not critical?  OK, I have to admit that WD 
> does not do this so I have gained a new respect for WD.  These will 
> probably be my last Maxtor drives.... and maybe my last IDE's...
> 
> 

I read this as implying that WV is basically a backup to a backup and 
that their logic is that if the drive passes WV after X number of power 
cycles, it must be "goodER to go" and they take that safety net away. 
This does make a certain amount of sense, but I don't understand why 
they'd do this after the thing's already gone out into the field. 
Perhaps it's because they realize that shipping and installation 
constitute a risk that is still within their purview?




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