how to low-level format a hard disk using AIX?

Question

I have a server with AIX 6.1 , I formated some hdisks using diag tool, but in some way some of its VGDA survived.

how may I low-level format a hard disk using AIX?

or

how may I clear the VGDA of a specific hdisk?

thanks

Answer 1

Modern hard disks can't be low level formatted by the OS, the factory does it once and it's permanent after that (except for damage).

If you're looking to zero out the drive, dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/[drive] should work.

Answer 2

You can completely erase a disk using dd, and then format it from there. Something like dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/<disk>. Make sure it's the right disk before you do it though...

Answer 3

To clear the VGDA run

chpv -C hdiskX

That should clear the owning volume group from a disk.