#Back up the PAR ?
27 messages in this thread
I need some advice on backing up the PAR. I'm about to make a purchase but
would like to get some advice first. I do have an Adaptec 6260 SCSI-II card
that has the type 2 external connector. I want an external unit as I will be
sharing it. It would also be nice if this solution would allow file transfer to
the MAC. Would it be better to get a Syquest 88 or something? I think a CD
writer would be ideal but I've only got about $700 to spend. 🙁 Any ideas?
DM
David,
I use a 8550 ExaByte tape to do my par backups, also I have a 150 meg.
Bernoulli by Iomega which works with the PAR. A suggestion would be the NEW
'Bernoulli 230', this drive is selling for under $500.00 and it includes 5
disks for a total of 1.15 gigs (you actually by the disks and get the drive for
free!). It is offered at this price in the April issue of NEW MEDIA magazine
and also is available from your local service bureau. The only problem would be
that the files on the PAR will exceed the 230 meg limit and you would need to
use a backup software that would allow you to span multiple disks. These drives
are vary stable and reasonably fast for removable media drives. You also can
purchase a parallel converter which would allow you to hook up to any computer
for file transfer, also availible from Iomega.
–Mike
David
I was at the Seybold show this week and Olympus has a new 250meg M.O. drive
for under $700(street). It is primarily a MAC device, but comes with a SCSI
controller for use with PC. Seems to have fast transfer rates as they were
playing .MOV and .AVI files at 320×240 right off the drive. Media is $25/disk
and is read/write. They also have a 1.3Gig for about $1200.
TedB
!^NavFont01F0006MGHHHy88B7
David……Call me….I've got an Idea.
Murph'
We've been using a Sony SDT-5000 4mm DAT tape drive. Works great, holds 4GB so
you can back up without changing tapes. Cost about $900 and should work with
your existing SCSI system. Ours is internal, but it comes in an external
version. HP also has a 4mm DAT drive for about the same money. I would suggest
you look closely at the 4mm DDS-2 format drives since they offer enough
capacity to grow into. Well worth scratching up the extra $200. You can also
get DDS format drives that hold a max of 1GB uncompressed. You can usually get
them for $100-200 less than the DDS-2 drives. Let me know if you want more
info.
Cal
-Cal Haines
Cal:
>> We've been using a Sony SDT-5000 4mm DAT tape drive.
I just "acquired" one of these exact models this weekend (don't ask!). What
backup software have you used on it? I've tested Central Point Backup and the
generic 'pc-tar' with good luck, but always interested in experience!
Greg Pyros
Greg,
You might want to try Cheyenne Software's ArcSolo or ArcServe backup
software.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin:
>> You might want to try Cheyenne Software's ArcSolo or ArcServe backup
>> software.
Thanks! Do you have a number for them (or a brochure?) The ArcSolo is all I'd
need, based on the names. We use the 8505XL for network backup, all this is
for is for clients sending us misc. files.
Greg Pyros
Greg:
Try GO CHEYENNE — there, you can get 30-day demos of most of their products,
as well as other info.
Dave
Dave:
Thanks for the info!
Greg Pyros
>> What backup software have you used on it? <<
Corel SCSI-2 tape backup utility.
It isn't very fancy, but it works. One problem the utility has is that
doesn't recognize the PAR drive – some sort of problem with the way they verify
that the path is valid. As a consequence restore must be via the DOS drive. I
haven't had to do a restore for months, so it isn't a heart breaker. Backups
from PAR work, if a little slow (ISA bus problem).
I have been trying to find out more about Novaback, from NovaStor. I
understand they have a good SCSI product, but I can't find a phone number for
them anywhere. I tried to use Colorado Backup for Windows with no success.
When I contacted them, they were definitely not concerned with supporting
someone else's drive — too bad, they have a nice program.
I haven't upgraded to the 1.5 PAR software, there are enough ripples on my
pond right now without tossing in more pebbles. But I plan to put it on soon.
I'd be interested to know what you wind up with software-wise.
Thanks! Cal
-Cal Haines
Cal,
Here, let me help you: Novastor is at 818/707-9900.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
>> Novastor <<
Have you tried it? I keep hearing its a nice program, but I haven't found
anyone yet who has used it.
Cal
-Cal Haines
Cal,
No. Novastor does have a pretty full line, and have versions for a
variety of platforms, including DOS, Windows, NT, Mac & Unix (although a tape
from 1 can't be read by the others). Unfortunately, I found them unresponsive
to phone calls & other requests for info, and their distribution was limited to
some smaller distributors I didn't already work with as a dealer. I went with
Arcsolo and an Exabyte EXB-2501 mini-cartridge drive. I have varying transfer
rates on a whole office-worth of systems. The 486/33 I'm logging on here with
backs up at 18-21 MB/minute. Another system (with Stacker) gets from 6-12
MB/minute depending on whether compression is used or not.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Thanks!
Cal
-Cal Haines
Kevin:
>> Novastor does have a pretty full line, and have versions for a variety of
>> platforms, including DOS, Windows, NT, Mac & Unix (although a tape from 1
>> can't be read by the others).
Why would they shoot themselves in the foot like that?!? Especially
SCSI tape drives! No excuse, IMHO.
I couldn't really find any tape software manufacturer that
would exchange data across the platforms. I suppose TAR would be the
most flexible in that regard. Generally, the MAC software usually
writes stuff out in a very operating system-specific manner, making
it easier to restore with all icons, folders, etc.
Kevin,
What about TapeDisk?
Murph'
I've yet to find a tape-based 'tar' for the Mac. If it existed, most of this
problem would go away.
Finding cross-platform and platform-savvy archiving programs is a true
nightmare, too… something always goes wrong: they don't handle long
filenames, they don't munge long filenames, they don't restore timestamps, they
don't handle sub-directories, etc.
>>PMJI>>
Cal,
I just saw your note to GregP on Corel SCSI and you got me doing some tests. I
use Corel SCSI version 2 with PAR version 1.5 and as of yet I have not needed
to do a restore.
BTW- I talked to Corel SCSI tech. and they have a emergency restore directly
from DOS, in case of a major crash, this will keep you from re-installing
Windows again!!
Here are the results;
1. My backup was test.ani (600 frames) which was copied to the DOS drive from
the PAR. I did a backup to a ExaByte 8505, I was brave and backed up, then I
did a restore directly to the PAR drive (the first clue that it was working was
the video showing up on my monitor), this worked great and it took about about
40 seconds a meg. to restore.
2. Next, I tried backing up directly from the PAR and doing a restore to the
PAR, this went very well, I even put *.ani files back to different directories.
–Note!! (I did not let the tape software try to create any directory
structures) I have not tested the software doing a restore while creating
project directories.
Cal, leave me a note if you have any questions. Like you said, the Corel SCSI
software is real simple, I think it is a good choice for backup and it does
work for all of my situations.
Good Luck!!
-Mike Morgan
!^NavFont01F000ChHB4HHBCHJE7AACA
>> I use Corel SCSI version 2 with PAR version 1.5 <<
Thanks! My dealer is sending me version 1.5. Sounds like things are pretty
clean now. Last time I tried to restore to PAR I got an invalid path error.
I'll try it again with PAR version 1.5 and keep me finners crossed.
Cal
-Cal Haines
NovaStor can be reached at: (805) 579-6700
You might also look into Norton Backup for windows. It sees the par drive just
fine and I can load and backup straight to it, plus I find it more reliable
than corelSCSI. I had too many problems with the backup software. It wouldn't
be able to restore from tapes it created sometimes.
norton has never given me a problem.
>> Norton Backup for windows <<
Good, thanks for the recommendation. I'm sorta in a "if it ain't BADLY broke,
don't fix it mode", but I would like to get a more powerful backup utility when
I have the time. I'm not in love with Corel SCSI, but you'll take my 4mm tape
drive away when you pry my cold dead hands off it (if ya know what I mean!)
Cal
-Cal Haines
I feel that way about my Exabyte 8mm. I like the idea of backing up 5 gigs
uncompressed without changing tapes.
>> I haven't upgraded to the 1.5 PAR software, there are enough ripples on my
>> pond right now without tossing in more pebbles. But I plan to put it on
>> soon.
Make that _real_ soon! It fixes a lot of bugs, and I don't know of
any major outstanding issues with the new version. Should only take
you 10 minutes. Just make sure you re-boot the computer after loading
it and before running it!