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ntbackup via SCSI

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by therockdoctor 1 view

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I have an NT4sp6 server (migrated from Netware by some named "Prior") with an internal Segate tape drive. Through control panel/tape devices, the N.O.S. always says that the device is working properly but when I go to NT backup I always get the following error message:
a tape device has been detected and the tape driver startd. however, the tape device is not responding. check that the tape device power is on and cables are properly connected.
...except, if I disconnect the cable and rebootand reconnect the cable and reboot it will recognize the tape drive and perform a full backup as requested. Try to backup again, however, and I received the same darn error message.
ANY SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS would be greatly appreciated :)

5 replies

by rawright

This sounds a lot like a marginal connection (if it used to work, but now won't), or possibly a driver problem. I'd start with a new SCSI cable on the tape drive, along with a good cleaning of the contacts on the tape device and controller connectors. If this doesn't solve it, remove and re-install the tape device in the OS; the drivers do occassionally get corrupted in subtle ways.

by csmith

This is usually not a hardware problem, this is usually a Windows NT software problem.
Usually the driver is being loaded twice when the drive is not working. NT can detect the tape backup because it writes directly to the I/O port, but it can not make the tape work on the second backup attempt, because it accesses the second driver which is blocked from using the tape by the first driver.
I have never had to fix this problem, but I have a friend who did, and he ran around pulling his hair out for two weeks before he got it fixed.
He ended up doing a careful manual configuration.

This was the explanation he gave me.

Regards, Chris

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