Recommendations and Requirements for Using The format Utility

You must be superuser or a member of an equivalent role to use the format utility. If you are not superuser or have assumed an equivalent role, you will see the following error message when trying to use the format utility:

$ format
Searching for disks...done
No permission (or no disks found)!

Keep the following guidelines in mind when using the format utility and you want to preserve the existing data:

• Back up all files on the disk drive.

• Save all your defect lists in files by using the format utility's dump command. The file name should include the drive type, model number, and serial number.

• Save the paper copies of the manufacturer's defect list that was shipped with your drive.