NT SP6a & BENT 7.3 - Semaphore timeout 2

[ShackDaddy]

I recently loaded SP6a, and from that point on, my backups, using BackupExec 7.3 started failing with the following error:

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Storage Device "Quantum0" reported an error on a request to space to end of data. Error reported: The SEMAPHORE timeout period has expired. An uknown error occurred on the device "Quantum0".
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I'm using two identical Quantum DLT 7000's and both are getting the exact error, so I know it's not a matter of needing cleaning tapes or a single bad tape. I went to the Veritas site, read article 190598, and downloaded the latest driver for the tape drives, but they haven't seemed to make a difference. Has anyone seen anything like this crop up with SP6a? I have to be running that service pack for the sake of my MSMQ enterprise, but I also need my backups!

Thanks!

David Shackelford

 

[Tilo]

ShackDaddy

I guess you mean you downloaded the latest driver from the veritas site. If the veritas driver don't work, go to the manufacturers website and download the driver from there.
This often works. This problem is all about the driver waiting for a response from the tape drive. Veritas driver have already an extended timout to receive an answer, but that might not be enough. If you get the latest driver from the drive manufacturer chances are that the timout is greater are good.

Tilo

 

[ShackDaddy]

Thanks Tilo. Actually, I've already been down the path you mention, with no perceptible results. I _was_ able to find a solution though. Last night I looked up the Adaptec controller type and installed the latest version of the drivers, which was an AIC-7895 embedded in a SuperMicro motherboard. Since I've restarted the server, I've run three successful jobs, which I'd never been able to do before, since the problems started.

So, to recap: SP6a causes a problem with scsi-based tape drives, and is fixed by updating the Adaptec scsi controller drivers. I found a couple of posts in comp.periphs.scsi that confirm this beyond my own situation.

 

[Tilo]

Good Information. Thanks for letting me know.

Tilo