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Problem using LTO-3 media on Symantec Backup Exec.

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by charlesjb

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I installed an IBM Ultrium TD3 drive on my Backup Exec 11b server. It is shown on the stand-alone drive list OK (product ID: IBM Ultrium TD3, Drive type : LTO-64K (64K, 10, 0, e, hu). The problem that I'm facing is that trying to use the LTO-3 media type (400gb) in the captioned drive, it only shows the available capacity of 35.5GB . I've run inventory several times, and it still shows the same capacity. I even tried to run my backup job,but every time it reach 32-33GB it become really slow. The tapes I'm using were previously used by another application on the same drive. After I run inventory on the tapes, I always run Quick erase. I'm using the latest drivers (Hotfix29).Any ideas what could be the problem?

9 replies

by kim_forbes

Tried renaming the tape? This is a solution I have found - although this will erase ALL data on the drive, formatting it. Perhaps you could use a new tape if available to verify if the tape is faulty?

Also, another issue that may be the cause of this is the SCSI adapter, or connecting cables. I have run into a problem in the past that using a low-speed SCSI adapter has caused my backup jobs to fail after 10Gb or so...I could inventory fine, but all else failed.

Hope this helps somewhat!

Best of Luck

by charlesjb

Thanks. I just renamed the tape and still the same. I tried different tapes and same results. I'm using Adaptec 39160 and it was working fine in the previous system . In this system (Dell PowerEdge SC1420) I have an embedded SCSI card that is not in use. Any other idea?

by kim_forbes

Well, to me that sounds more like an interface (SCSI) issue. Is there any way you can possibly try another SCSI adapter? what speed is the adapter you are using now in this system? Also, is it a wide-faced (40-something pins) or narrow connection? Do you need to perhaps use a different cable from the drive to the SCSI card?

As a last resort, perhaps a firmware update is possible?

Keep me updated mate - I will research this issue for you to come up with a solution.

Best Regards and best of luck

by charlesjb

I finally get the Backup Exec to work with the Ultrium . I had to use the Symantec's drivers instead of Microsoft ones. I run the driver wizard coming with Backup Exec and now it recognize the total capacity of the tape. I also downloaded the latest driver for my 39160 in order to improve the bandwidth of the card.

by kim_forbes

Hi again,

I spoke with a techie from Symantec on Friday afternoon, and he updated me to SP2 and their newest driver update as I had totally lost the connection to my Robotic Library...So it seems their drivers to have a large bearing on how the hardware works with the software.

Well done with the troubleshooting and resolution.

Best Regards,

by charlesjb

Hi Kim,
Back again with another issue with the Backup Exec.
As commented before, I'm using the Symantec drivers for the Ultrium and for my SCSI 39160 the drivers from Adaptec web site. The problem I have right now is that the transfer rate is too slow. It is around 22MB/seg. The Device Configuration Wizard shows that all my drivers are OK and that there is not need for any update.
Any ideas what could be the problem?

by pipoux

Hello Charles JB,

Excuse my english...I'm french..

I have the same problem with my new ULTRIUM3
I have installed IBM driver with the drive, but Backup exec 10d don't recognize the good cartridge...

Where are you downloaded the good driver ??

Thanks for your response...
Bonne journ?

by kim_forbes

Hi Charles,

How do you mean an embedded SCSI card? Is it only used for the IBM drive? If so, what are the SCSI channels used by the device? If you right-click the drive in Device Manager, it should have an ID, BUS number and LUN address. They should match with the SCSI initialisation when booting the OS.

If a standalone SCSI adapter, what is the interface for the card? i.e PCI-express, PCI, ISA, etc...

I do honestly think this may be an interface issue.

Can you possibly update the firmware of the SCSI interface and the drive?

I would also run a test backup after each update.

Adpatec SCSI Bios upate:
http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/downloads/bios_fw/bios_fw_ver?productId=ASC-39160&dn=Adaptec+SCSI+Card+39160

please note, that with updating SCSI drivers it is recommended to update the Baseboard management Firmware and the systems BIOS. I'm sure there was another item in this list but for the life of me forget which.

also, where are you sending the backup info...i.e locally or across the network?

Good luck mate, keep me posted?

Best Regards,

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