slow, may visit every
block). 1 and 2 are fast formats; 1: after
format, unwritten data read without error
--fmtpinfo=FPI|-f FPI FMTPINFO field value (default: 0)
--format|-F do FORMAT UNIT (default: report current count and size)
use thrice for FORMAT UNIT command only
--help|-h prints out this usage message
--ip-def|-I use default initialization pattern
--long|-l allow for 64 bit lbas (default: assume 32 bit lbas)
--mode=MP|-M MP mode page (def: 1 -> RW error recovery mpage)
--pie=PIE|-q PIE Protection Information Exponent (default: 0)
--pinfo|-p set upper bit of FMTPINFO field
(deprecated, use '--fmtpinfo=FPI' instead)
--poll=PT|-x PT PT is poll type, 0 for test unit ready
1 for request sense (def: 0 (1 for tape)) --quick|-Q start format without pause for user intervention
(i.e. no time to reconsider)
--resize|-r resize (rather than format) to COUNT value
--rto_req|-R set lower bit of FMTPINFO field
(deprecated use '--fmtpinfo=FPI' instead)
--security|-S set security initialization (SI) bit
--six|-6 use 6 byte MODE SENSE/SELECT to probe disk
(def: use 10 byte MODE SENSE/SELECT)
--size=LB_SZ|-s LB_SZ bytes per logical block, defaults to DEVICE's
current logical block size. Only needed to
change current logical block size
--tape=FM|-T FM request FORMAT MEDIUM with FORMAT field set
to FM (def: 0 --> default format)
--timeout=SECS|-m SECS FORMAT UNIT/MEDIUM command timeout in seconds
--verbose|-v increase verbosity
--verify|-y sets VERIFY bit in FORMAT MEDIUM (tape)
--version|-V print version details and exit
--wait|-w format command waits until format operation completes
(default: set IMMED=1 and poll with Test Unit Ready)
Example: sg_format --format /dev/sdc
This utility formats a SCSI disk [FORMAT UNIT] or resizes it. Alternatively
if '--tape=FM' is given formats a tape [FORMAT MEDIUM]. WARNING: This utility will destroy all the data on DEVICE when '--format'
or '--tape' is given. Check that you have specified the correct
DEVICE. Protection: prot_en=%d, p_type=%d, p_i_exponent=%d
Logical block provisioning: lbpme=%d, lbprz=%d
Logical blocks per physical block exponent=%d
Lowest aligned logical block address=%d
Number of logical blocks=%lu
Logical block size=%u bytes
Read Capacity (10) response indicates that Read Capacity (16) is required Number of logical blocks=%u
c:C:dDef:FhIlm:M:pP:q:QrRs:St:T:vVwx:y6 bad argument to '--cmplst', want 0 or 1
bad argument to '--fmtpinfo', accepts 0 to 3 inclusive
bad argument to '--timeout=', accepts 0 or more
bad argument to '--mode', accepts 0 to 62 inclusive
bad argument to '--pfu', accepts 0 to 7 inclusive
bad argument to '--pie', accepts 0 to 15 inclusive
bad argument to '--size', want arg > 0
bad argument to '--ffmt', accepts 0 to 3 inclusive
bad argument to '--tape', accepts 0 to 15 inclusive
Unexpected extra argument: %s
Not in DEBUG mode, so '-vV' has no special action
Cannot choose both '--format' and '--tape='; disk or tape, choose one only
'--ip_def' and '--security' contradict, choose one
both '--format' and '--resize' not permitted
'--resize' needs a '--count' (other than 0)
'--resize' not compatible with '--size'
confusing with both '--pinfo' or '--rto_req' together with
'--fmtpinfo', best use '--fmtpinfo' only
error opening device file: %s: %s
%.8s %.16s %.4s peripheral_type: %s [0x%x]
<< supports protection information>> Short INQUIRY response: %d bytes, expect at least 36
VPD_SUPPORTED_VPDS gave res=%d
VPD_UNIT_SERIAL_NUM gave res=%d
VPD_UNIT_SERIAL_NUM corrupted
Unit serial number: %.*s
This format is only defined for disks (using SBC-2 or RBC) and MO media
This format is only defined for tapes
bad field in MODE SENSE (%d) [longlba flag not supported?]
bad field in MODE SENSE (%d) [mode_page %d not supported?]
try '-v' for more information
%s: resid=%d implies negative response length of %d
%s: MS(6) response length too short (%d)
%s: MS(10) response length too short (%d)
%s: MS response length truncated (%d < %d)
Mode Sense (block descriptor) data, prior to changes: <<< Write Protect (WP) bit set >>> <<< longlba flag set (64 bit lba) >>> block count maxed out, set <