Backup Exec 8.6 rejects DLT

[Hammertime]

Using NT4 SP6a server with a Quantum DLT4000

No matter what media I put in (20GB or 40GB DLT tapes)I get this same message everytime:

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Please insert overwritable media into the drive.

Overwritable media includes scratch, blank, and recyclable media. Please note that depending on the current Media Overwrite Protection setting, imported and allocated media may be overwritable as well. Consult the online help for more information on overwritable media.
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I've used new and used tapes but I still get the same problem. It only occurs on my remote backups (backups from the media server except both 20GB or 40GB tapes)

Does anybody know what's going on? Your help is appreciated!

Hammertime

 

[SQLBill]

You say...It only occurs on my remote backups. I take that to mean that you CAN and ARE using these tapes for other backups.

This shouldn't be causing the error, but do you have the Remote Agent installed?

-SQLBill

 

[Hammertime]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, i'm using the tapes for other backups (Data coming directly from the media server).

Yes I have two different remote agent licences installed on both servers. I thought about formatting the DLT's but my drive doesn't have that facility.

Hammertime

 

[SQLBill]

I'm honestly at a loss. The only things that I can come up with that would cause that error are:

1. the 'write protect' tab on the tape itself is set to 'write protect'. But it can't be that since you are using the tapes successfully for other backups.

2. the media set/tape is set to not allow overwrite. But it can't be that since you are using the tapes successfully for other backups.

-SQLBill

 

[PerryMc]

You could try doing a quick erase on the tape before you start the backup.

Smile anyway,
Perry.

 

[Hammertime]

Tried erasing the 40GB DLT, and the job failed with no explanation in the log. However, tried the same thing with the 20GB taped and it worked and is now backing up one of my remote servers as we speak. I've used 40GB tapes in the past though?

Hammertime

 

[SQLBill]

Do I have this correct? You have one tape drive/library and you are using it to backup two servers (one server is the media server with BE installed and the other server is a remote server). The tapes will backup the media server but not the remote server. Is that all correct?

Do you have media sets created in BE? If so, do you assign the tape to different media sets according to the server being backed up? If yes, check the overwrite properties on all media sets.

Lastly, and I think this might be the problem...go to the Job Definitions tab. Right Click on the job that is failing. Go to properties. On the General tab, look for the section that says: "When this job begins..." There are three options:
Overwrite media
Append to media, overwrite if no appendable media is available.
Append to media, terminate job if no appendable media is available.
Which one is selected? Make sure it's not the last one.

-SQLBill