#DAT Tape Special
7 messages in this thread
PMFJI but I agree.I got one of the "bargain" Dat drives and had to return
it within weeks.The second one sorta works. My WangDat with Amiback and
Tapeworm work but needs coaxing. For instance, my syquest and CD Rom must
be off for the thing to work. But it has save my *** last week when I lost
my entire Toaster HD. If the MegageM actually has one that is bullet
proof, I wish I had got theirs. My Dat was only $495 but not worth the
grief.
Joe Clasen
Joe's DB&G
Thank you very much for the supportive comments. MegageM is a very small
company so I can't afford even ONE unhappy customer. I have spent the last
three years learning just who and where and why of the SCSI data storage
business. I've gotten burned and I've learned where to buy, what to buy, and
just whom to trust for top quality product at the best prices consistent with
producing happy customers. I've shipped this particular DAT drive to Hollywood
video outfits, one of the major Amiga mail order companies' advertising
department, a customer in Guam using it on both MAC and Amiga, and numerous
Amiga customers all over the US. I purchase these from only one supplier I've
learned has an outstanding quality control. So, it does cost a little bit more
than some folks charge, but my warranty is solid and the product is terrific.
The problem you're having with TapeWorm may not be your DAT, I've had
absolutely no luck at all getting TapeWorm to operate reliably. Some folks
swear by it, but it seems to be very finicky and highly drive dependent;
something I wouldn't expect for a product with its advertised claims (they
don't say, only for certain drives). The same company makes AmiBack and I like
it very much and recommend it to all. So it's nothing personal against their
company. I just wouldn't depend on TW. I have recently re-loaded via AmiBack
a tape backup I made last August and it was zero problem, of course using my
DAT drive model I raved about above. My caution about 3rd party refurbs is
really based on extensive experience. I've seen 'refurb'd' drives which were
spit polished and sent right out the door with known defects. Buyer beware,
sometimes Mr. Clasen's experience is worth learning from.
Daniel,
I've got an A1200 with the GVP A1291 SCSI adaptor to which I want to
attach an innexpensive tape streamer. I've just returned a Tandberg
TDC3600 to my local dealer as I couldn't get it to work with any backup
software (includeing two versions of AmiBack).
What have you got to offer as far as this goes (internal will be fine as
I've got enclosures aplenty)? I also want the latest version of AmiBack
or similar software.
BTW, I'm in the UK, so a separate shipping cost would be useful. If
shipping costs too much, I'm over in NY in Sept and could give you the
address so I could collect. Will pay in US$.
Thanks
Kevin 68030/40 A1200…
On AutoPilot from Surrey in the UK
I'm emailing you more details. I have had excellent experience for over 2
years selling a particular model of DAT drive to a large number of customers
all over the USA. It has proven to be a real workhorse and has shown excellent
long-term reliability (well beyond the warranty period, well well beyond …) I
doubt I'll have this same offer in September, I am currently offering a June
special on this drive and its availability is probably going to slow down.
AmiBack is what I use with this same drive, the WangTek 6200. Creative
Computers is offering AmiBack much cheaper than I can, only $14.95! if you
purchase any other item on the same order. I have not used this drive with the
particular controller you mentioned, but I have used it with TrumpCardPro,
Amiga4091, and PP&S Zeus (the latter 2 are fast SCSI 2, the former is ordinary
SCSI). The drive is switchable SCSI 1/2 but seems to work perfectly well
either way. See my email message for the rest of the information you requested.
Daniel:
I'd be interested in this product, but I've got a few questions:
Currently, I'm using a loaner WangTEK 3100 DAT drive. It works just great
on A2091 controller in my 4000, but now that I want to run it on my 3000,
I can't get it to reliably verify backups using Ami-Back20f.
Now, I've never had problems with _any_ SCSI device on my 3K in the many
years I've had it – if I were to purchase the 6200, would I have the same
problem? (I don't have the A2091 in my 4000 any more, so that isn't a
viable option.)
I guess I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between the 3100 &
6200? Which one's older, better, etc?
Thanks,
Erik Flom
I do not use/have not used the WangTEK 3100. I have one local customer using
the 6200 on his A3000 with no problem (he did have a problem with a 150Mb 1/4
inch cartridge tape drive, tho, and switched to one of my 6200's which solved
his tape problems. I don't know about 2.0F AmiBack, I still use 2.0B which
works fine and I have 2.0H on line to test but it seems to work about the same
as far as I can tell. I don't know what changes have been made in between. I
find that AmiBack tells me the 6200 wants to use the COMPARE verify mode, not
the usual simple verify. No problem for me, I just set AmiBack to use COMPARE
mode of verify. It takes a bit longer on the verify side, but I get a pretty
good solid idea that my backup is exactly correct – that's what COMPARE does.
Maybe you could try COMPARE verifies with your tape. Maybe AmiBack is weird,
or maybe since I'm using the 6200 in SCSI-2 mode, I don't know. Anyway,
everything works just fine. I don't know how my A3000 customer is using his
6200 with AmiBack (though I'm certain he is using AmiBack with it). Some A3000s
have different SCSI chips in 'em. Contact me by Email if you wish more
information on my 6200 DAT special for June.
'Maybe you could try COMPARE verifies…' Sorry, I used to a network admin
– I'm real paranoid, and ALWAYS compare files on backup. (It's during the
compare phase that I get errors like 'DATA DIFFERS', & 'one or more files
skipped'. Using the exact same tape/drive/data on my 4000 works just fine.
(Like I said, the 3000 has been a real trooper and run any SCSI device
I've thrown at it.)
I've tried using both SCSI-I & II, that didn't make a difference. I even
tried calling IDI, but they were clueless. Now, a week later, I may try
again. (I've eliminated alot of variables by now.)
BTW, is the 6200 full or half height?
Thanks,
Erik Flom