Q) Must I "format" removable media before using it?
Q) Why do I get errors while formatting my ZIP/Jaz/MO media?
A) You must never *ever* "AKAI FORMAT" removable media like ZIPs, JAZs, MOs, Syquests etc. It is like trying to use a DOS "Format" on an MO or any removable drive. This type of media needs specific and particular "treatment" for it's formatting, which is not a global standard (some will remember specific proprietary formatting utils for their MO media or similar). The AKAI "FORMAT" command is intended rather for HD drives, not for removable media. It is the equivalent to a "LOW LEVEL" format, which implies a more complex writing and organising routine (physical rearrangement and writing of "indexes" or sector initialisation) which is not standard for Removable media and should even be avoided on recent HardDisks. Low Level formatting can VOID warranty on some types and firms of Hard Disks and is esplicitly stated on the HD case itself; this applies to Removable Media aswell - I don't really know why AKAI put that button function command as a primary one, they should have left it as last resort only for certain HDs. All you need to do is hit the "Arrange" button and if your media is new, you can even SKIP the bad sector search process and formatting will take just a few seconds! This is the equivalent to a DOS "quick format" which is all you actually need for those devices. If you have insisted on using the "FORMAT" button too many times, you may have permanently damaged your removable media. You can try recovering from this state by using it's proprietary format and rescue utilities (like Iomega Utils for the Jaz and ZIP) and see if it comes back to "life".
