Re: Sector CRC

From: Bruce P. Burrell (bpbat_private)
Date: Mon Aug 27 2001 - 09:24:58 PDT

  • Next message: Michael D. Barwise, BSc, IEng, MIIE: "Re: sector CRC"

    On 27 Aug 2001, Christopher Mellen <cmellenat_private> wrote:
    
    
    >  If I understand it correctly the CRC at the end of the data area of a
    > sector is generated when a sector is written to.
    
       Two CRCs, actually: one for the data, and another for the address
    markers.
    
    > Subsequently, the CRC is checked when the sector is read - if the CRC
    > value doesn't match then it's flagged as bad and some type of error
    > should occur.
    
       Right.  If it's the DataCRC, then you get a "Data error reading drive
    <x>" message; if an address CRC, you get a "Sector not found", at least
    under DOS.  Other OSes no doubt have their own error messages.
    
    > So my question, if I use a disk utility such as diskedit and change
    > the data area (i.e. add a line of text to a document) in a sector.
    > Why then does the sector CRC not report an error when accessing the
    > file normally at a later time?
    
       Because the BIOS is smarter than to screw up the data. :-)
    
    > or is this done with an ECC and it's correcting it on the fly as
    > there would be no physical issues with the sector...?
    
       Using a WriteSectorLong call will allow changing the actual data while
    setting whatever ECC code is specified.
    
       As for monkeying with the Address fields and associated CRC, that's a
    segue into LLFs.
    
    > thanks
    
       Sure.
    
       -BPB
    
    University of Michigan AntiVirus Team Leader
    University of Michigan Data Recovery Team Leader
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