CompuServe Thread

#SCSI tape problems

7 messages in this thread
#20841From: Greg HalperFeb 26, 1992 7:54 PM
Steve: I know it's been about two months since you posted your message about using the GVP SCSI controller with the A3070 tape drive, but I need to know, did you ever get it working? regards, greg
#20842From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPFeb 26, 1992 8:24 PM
It works pretty well. I'm using the DTape handler and GNU tar to back stuff up until Quarterback 5.0 comes out. I hope that program supports backing up to the 3070 with a GVP card…. Anyway, the only error I've gotten is pretty consistant. Anytime I do anything with the tape it returns a bad status code, and then goes on to do it's thing. I haven't had a problem getting things off the tape, and my investigation of the problem really hasn't turned up a reasonable explanation for what the problem is. I really don't like the fact that it gives that command, but it works so far…..I'll be happier when that new software comes out. Meanwhile, I'm using my Syquest as an added backup device. Steve
#20860From: John DraperFeb 27, 1992 10:03 AM
Steve, If you are getting the error after inserting a new tape, it's a standard thing. A tape change generates a CHECK condition, which must then be cleared by performing an operation on the drive. While a device driver could take steps to analyze the reason, and act accordingly, it would probably not be appropriate for it to do so (too specific to a particular device). Basically, the handler or the tape specific program should handle it. As you mentioned, it does go ahead and do its thing, so it's working pretty much as it should. -larry
#21083From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPMar 3, 1992 2:16 PM
Interestingly enough, the problem occurs every time I use the tape, no just the first time. Thanks for the additional info. Steve
#21085From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPMar 3, 1992 4:26 PM
Interestingly enough, the problem occurs every time I use the tape, no just the first time. Thanks for the additional info. Steve
#20863From: Mike SchillerFeb 27, 1992 1:38 PM
Steve: According to Gary Nush at GVP the DTAPE driver does things that the GVP board doesn't like. I don't know if these 'things' are easily corrected or not, and I don't know who *should* be the one to correct it (GVP or Matt Dillon), but my guess is that unless some 3rd party fixes it it'll probably stay broke, as Matt is using a 3000, and has publically stated that he can't/won't fix things that break with hardware he doesn't have, and I don't hold much hope for GVP fixing it either, as it would compete with their TapeStore software. -Mike Schiller In sunny Fort Lauderdale
#20867From: Greg HalperFeb 27, 1992 3:43 PM
Well, that's at least reassuring. I tried to get it to work on my system most of Tuesday night with little or no success. I couldn't even see the device after doing a SCSI scan. I checked the gvpscsi.device and it says it's version 3.7, so that could be part of the problem after hearing stuff around here about 4.0 (or 4.4). The external connector hasn't been a problem before, since, I have used a Syquest with the GVP before. Well, time for aome more testing. regards greg