Re: sector CRC

From: Michael D. Barwise, BSc, IEng, MIIE (mikeat_private)
Date: Mon Aug 27 2001 - 09:59:01 PDT

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    From:           	"Mellen, Christopher" <cmellenat_private>
    To:             	"'forensicsat_private'" <forensicsat_private>
    Subject:        	sector CRC
    Date sent:      	Thu, 23 Aug 2001 20:21:25 -0400
    
    > 
    >  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.  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.
    > 
    > 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?  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...?
    > 
    
    Very simple Christopher. The CRC is generated and tested by the disk 
    controller hardware when the sector is written to/read from disk. When you 
    use Diskprobe, you are actually amending a memory buffer which is not 
    written to the disk sector until you commit.
    
    
    
    
    Michael D. Barwise, BSc, IEng, MIIE
    Computer Security Awareness
    tel +44 (0)1442 266534
    http://www.ComputerSecurityAwareness.com
    
    Addressing the Human Equation in Information Security
    
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