Can't retension tape

[stevenriz]

Since I have been receiving "IO errors 'nn' feet into tape" on some older tapes, I thought I would try retensioning them. Well I am having trouble doing this. I am getting this message...
retension 1 failed: Inappropriate ioctl for device
Here is the command I am using...
mt -f /dev/rmt/0ub retension
where I am replacing the 0ub with every device listed in the /dev/rmt directory. Getting the same results with each. Anyone know what could be wrong? Thanks a lot.
steve

 

[cfsalmeida]

you are using a DAT drive ? DAT drives do not need to retension and therefore the command completes
very quickly as the drive basically ignores the command. If you try the same command under Solaris you receive the message "inappropriate ioctl for device" - in other words, this makes no sense for this device.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Carlos Almeida,

 

[stevenriz]

Ahhh. Well it is actually an Exabyte EXB-8500 8mm Helical Scan tape drive. I get this when I do a status on it. Does the same hold true for this type of tape and drive?

 

[cfsalmeida]

Yes, the same applies to your Exabyte EXB-8500.

Regards,

Carlos Almeida,