Arcserv likes clean tape drives

[Fundio]

I have a novell 5.1 server with sony DDS tape drive. Arcserv 6.6 (unsure of updates). This system was inherited from another IT company unable to resolve the problem. No matter how may times you run the tape clean function, it alway reports on the report console that the tape head needs cleaning and will not back-up. I have not found any resources on the web to tackle this problem. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[rmv]

Usually means the drive is going bad.

 

[Fundio]

The drive was supposedly replaced a few weeks ago by the last IT company. Is this an absolute answer to the problem? Does the software detect the status of the tape head? Could the tapes all be damaged?

 

[jabus]

If it is unknown how many times the tapes have been used, it may be time to swap them out.

Also make sure you have the latest SCSI drivers, but try a fresh set of tapes first.

 

[Fundio]

thanks for the input, I will try new tapes, and drivers first.

 

[Fundio]

just an update if anyone is still watching. The tapes did the trick. I have 10 tapes on weekly rotation. Then a cleaning. No failed backup or cleaning messages. Thanks you saved my life.