Multiple Errors

[jccchris]

I have been having a strange problem with Backup Exec v.8.6 for Win Servers on Win NT 4.0 server machine with a Seagate NS20 Tape Drive.

I either get the message:

The media in the storage device has an unrecognizable format or is not formatted.

or

Error reported:
Data error (cyclic redundancy check)

Critical
Device: Seagate 1 (FINESTRI)
The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is faulty:
1. Use a good tape to test the drive.
2. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Then sometime it successfully completes the backup. It started doing this suddenly a few months back. Since then I replaced the drive. I installed a scsi controller dedicated only to the tape drive and have tried several brands of tapes. But the problem remains exactly the same. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SQLBill]

Check out thread481-364187.

-SQLBill

 

[jccchris]

Thank you for your reply. From what I read in the thread, I checked the event viewer.

Each time it fails the event is:

Event: 7
Source: sttscsi4

The device,\Device\Tape0, has a bad block.

Could this mean that my new tape drive is also malfunctioning?

 

[SQLBill]

Might need cleaning, how long has it been since it was last cleaned (go to devices tab, right click on the tape device, go to properties, go to Cleaning tab.)

I would try formatting the tapes and see if that works.

-SQLBill

 

[SQLBill]

This is the only thing I found doing a GOOGLE search:

http://bizforums.itrc.hp.com/cm/QuestionAnswer/1,,0x9bb950dde50cd71190050090279cd0f9,00.html

Somtimes this means the read of the first block came up with either an unexpected block size or a tape mark. You might try an erase of the tape, reinit, or write a medium-large block of garbage. We use 8196 bytes.

Best is if you examine the first read to see what it is, and also a tape utility to dump the first block to examine it.

-SQLBill