Need to know DDS drive used to write backup tapes

From: Steven N. Hirsch <shirsch_at_adelphia.net>
Date: Sun Oct 3 09:10:50 2004

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004, Zane H. Healy wrote:

> > Mine too. They self-destruct long before the head wears out :-) Always
> > keep a backup DAT drive handy for your backup tapes... ;-)
>
> Always keep a backup *Tape Drive* or *two* around to read your backup tapes
> :^) Especially since I suspect most of us are using old tape drives for our
> backups, rather than brand new drives.

On that subject, can anyone shed light on what appears to be a common
failure mode for DLT7000 drives? I have (2) which misbehave in the same
manner. At powerup, the head recalibrates (bzzzzzttt), the door lock
solenoid activates and the green LED on the bottom right lights.
However, all the density and tape type LEDS on the left simply flash in
sync approx. 2x per second. An inserted tape will load, but that's all
she wrote. No track calibration, no shoeshine - nothing. Exact same
symptoms on both units.

One was working until the power was accidently interrupted in the midst of
a backup. The second was a $5.00 swap-meet item picked up in the hope of
yielding parts to get the first working <g>.

Steve
Received on Sun Oct 03 2004 - 09:10:50 BST