#A C/WTBACKUP problem…
5 messages in this thread
Mon 11/15/93 10:47 am et
I am trying to use your software but having problems. Pls help me. The
situation is as following:
Based on my conversations with Adaptec, Corel (with Arlen Bartsch and Bryan
Shearer) and HDSS (the mail order vendor), I ordered Archive Turbo Python DAT
drive (DDS SCSI-2 Model 4324MP, internal) 4-8 GB DAT and Adaptec 1542C (ISA,
SCSI-2, Fast SCSI) with the SCSI Master Plus kit (which included Corel SCSI
utility products!?) from HDSS.
I have a 486DX-66/256KCache/16MB memory/8 ISA (2 VLB)/ 512 MB
IDE(ISA)HD/Trident SVGA system running MS WFW (LAN).
I installed the internal Archive Turbo Python DAT tape drive (with default
factory switch setting, SCSI ID 0), the Adaptec board (SCSI ID 7, Port 330, DMA
5, IRQ 11, BIOS addr CC000), both terminated, using a 50-pin internal SCSI BUS
cable. These two are the only two SCSI things on the cable (as well as in the
PC).
I installed Adapatec ASPI manager driver ASPI4DOS.SYS (that came in the Adap
tec SCSI Master Plus kit) in my config.sys as the first thing (even before
QEMM.SYS/HIMEM.SYS) with parameters /P330 & /D. (Can't I load the ASPI mgr
high, by loading it after QEMM?)
After rebooting, installed the DOS and windows versions of the Corel utilities
that came in the SCSI Master plus kit. As I did not have any SCSI CD-ROM or
hard-disks in the system, it did not install in my config.sys any additional
device (driver) lines.
After rebooting, I tried the Corel tape backup program for DOS (v.1.14),
CTBACKUP.EXE that came as part of the Adaptec SCSI Master Plus kit. First thing
I tried to do was to try to format a DAT tape. I got a big red screen with the
error message "selected device can not be recognized!"
I tried the Corel tape backup program for Windows, WTBACKUP.EXE (v.1.11), that
came with the Adaptec SCSI Master Plus kit. That also gave a similar message.
Seems that the DOS and Windows programs Corel tape backup (that Adaptec
provided in their SCSI Master Plus kit) are programmed to look for a
"recognizable" tape drive and they see the tape drive but do not seem to
recognize the tape drive that they do see!
I say this because, a strange thing later happened. When I invoked the DOS
tape backup program CTBACKUP.EXE with a parameter "?" on the command line it no
longer gave the error message and started working normally. Out of curiosity,
when I tried the same thing with different characters on the command line, the
program worked OK as long as I typed SOMETHING on the command line after the
command ctbackup! However, even this weird mode of w orking has its
problems… The CTBACKUP has memory problems when viewing a "Save Set" that has
large number (600-700) of files.
I called Adaptec tech support hot line late yesterday (11/11). The guy I
talked to did not have much experience with SCSI tape drives and asked me to
download the latest version of ASPI4DOS.SYS from their bulletin board. Last
night, I did that and tried the latest (v 3.22) version. Did not help any!
Do you have any idea what I can do next? I suspect that the Corel SCSI that
Adaptec provided is VERY out of date! Do I need to upgrade from you to have
your latest backup software? Do you know if it recognize my tape drive? Will
appreciate ANY help. If possible, please call 908-463-8765 and leave a voice
msg or CIS MAIL to this Compuserve ID (72350,3234) as soon as possible.
The CTBACKUP.EXE is v1.14 200,257 bytes (5/19/92 15:41:04) and the WTBACKUP.EXE
is v1.11 140,080 bytes (5/12/92 01:11:00). the DAT tape SCSI identifier string
is "ARCHIVE Python 283880-XXX 4.28.
Thanks. –Piyush Majmudar
sysop:
pls ignore my above message in this thread. Since I posted it, Lazlo [Corel]
responded this AM to my earlier msg here last friday! Thanks.
–Piyush
Piyush,
The tape backup software was design to take a drive mask switch at the end of
the line. In the case of DAT drives, the drive mask is /MASK=0
This is added to the end of the CTBACKUP line. ie CTBACKUP /MASK=0
The DOS software is limited to conventional memory. On larger save sets you
will probably get the "edit portal string allocating memory" error. The work
around is to use the WINDOWS software. You have a version of our software that
is equivalent to our 1.01f. You can upgrade to CorelSCSI version 1.2b free of
charge plus shipping.
Yes, we do look at the enquiry string, but you say that even if we know what it
is we can't recognize it. The truth of the matter is that we take the enquiry
string from the drive (a simple SCSI enquiry command) and look it up in a drive
table. If it is not a tape that we have certified with our softweare, then the
enquiry string will not be present resulting in an unrecognized drive error.
I hope that this helps….try the /MASK=0 switch.
Laszlo
thanks for the reply. I just sent you a post which crossed yours!
Yes, /MASK=0 (or strangely enough, any thing else on the command line!) removes
the unrecognized drive problem for the CTBACKUP. Also, yes, I get that
"..portal.. " type of message that you mentioned when it runs out of memory
during viewing of large save sets.
As the DAT is at home, I will have to wait till today evening to try with the
WTBACKUP. (Meanwhile, My Adaptec 1542C board keeps killing/disabling my IDE
board after about a couple of hours of use of both of them — Reboot gives HDD
Controller Not Available message!….I assume you hve not encountered that
before…<g>)
Thanks for all your help! –Piyush
Piyush,
If you read the posted apology you will understand the tardiness of my
response.
Make sure that the Adaptec bios and floppy controller are both disabled if you
are not using them. I've seen an enabled bios cause this problem.
I hope this helps.
Laszlo