card@masi.ibp.fr (Remy CARD) writes:

:       I will try, in the next release of ext fs, to add badblocks to
: the list when they occur. This is easy to do when the block is contained
: in the data area but, when it belongs to the super block or the inode
: table, it is really a problem.

:       Yes, that would be much easier. Actually, it is even better if
: the drive itself or its controller can hide bad blocks to the system
: (like IDE drives I think).

If memory serves, on MFM and RLL drives, there is an area (the last cylinder, I
think) that is reserved for this sort of thing.  Linux should read (and map)
this area on bootup and update it whenever it finds an area that's bad.  IMHO.
-- 
Ed Carp, N7EKG     erc@apple.com                801/538-0177
"This is the final task I will ever give you, and it  goes  on  forever.   Act
happy, feel happy, be happy, without a reason in the world. Then you can love,
and do what you will."           -- Dan Millman, "Way Of The Peaceful Warrior"