Technical Knowledge Base

Storwize drive shows wrong format error after replacement

Symptoms

After drive replacement in a StorWize V3700/V5000/V7000 model, you receive one of the following error codes:
1. CMMVC8485E
-The command cannot be initiated because the drive that you have specified has not been formatted with the correct protection information scheme!
2. Error 1206
-Drive Format Incorrect

Cause

This error occurs when a drive put into the system is formatted incorrectly. The drive has not been formatted to the correct protection information scheme (Type 2), so initialization cannot be performed. This usually implies a process step has been missed during the manufacturing of the drive.

Resolution

  1. Use the following commands to remove the drive from the array
svctask chdrive -use unused (drive ID)

svctask chdrive -use candidate (drive ID)
  1. Once the drive is in an unused state, you can run the following command
svctask chdrive -task format (drive iD)
  1. Verify the drive rebuild percentage
lsdrive progress

lsdiskprogress \
4. Once the rebuild is complete, you should be able to add the drive as you would normally. Make sure to put the drive back to the same status the drive that as replaced was in.
- Make the drive a candidate ( this must be done before it can be made anything else)

svctask chdrive -use candidate (drive ID)
  • Make the drive a spare drive
svctask chdrive -use spare (drive ID)