overwritable media

[scotto27]

Can't seem to nail this one down.

Windows 2000 Server SP3
Backup Exec 8.60 Rev. 3878 (Server Edition, IDR)

Lately I've been getting the media ejected after about 23 GB, and it sits at
Loading Media. Hardware compression is enabled on this DDS4. I have 'None'
selected under Tools -> Options -> Media Overwrite on Media overwrite
protection level. Within the job itself, I have Overwrite media selected
under When this job begins.

If I place a new, never been used, DAT tape in for the night, it completes
the backup successfully. This only happens on media that has been used
before, that's why I was thinking it was some overwrite issue. So last
night I put in a used tape, took an inventory of it, then erased it (quick).
But I had the problem. I was hoping that because it was a "blanked out"
tape that it would complete, since brand new tapes work.

Here is the Alert in the BackupExec Alerts Window:

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.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[blonde]

It could be the setting under tools/options/devices . Then the media overwrite. Look and see what is checked in this.
It also could be the set up in the job properties. you would right click on job. go to edit job. and look under the general tab. the when this job begins will have options for :
* overwrite media,
* Append to media, overwrite if no appendable media is available.
* Append to media, terminate job if no appendable media is available.


hope this helps.
You could always erase the tapes. before job starts, and the second tape should be scratched then..

hope this helps.
blonde

 

[SQLBill]

Right click on the failed job and see what the Job History says.

You don't say how much you are trying to backup (you only say it gets to 23 GB before wanting a new tape). You also don't say what size your tapes are.

That information will help us if you could provide it.

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[scotto27]

The job wasn't actually in "Failed" state, it was at "Loading Media". I am using DD4 20/40 tapes and hardware compression is working it says. I removed about 2 GB's worth of data from the backup jobs, and it has been successfully backing up 21 GB on used tapes. Not sure what is going on.

 

[SQLBill]

20/40 is only an estimate. Never count on it. Everything has to be perfect...perfect tape with no bad blocks, perfect tape and tape drive match, etc. I believe what's happening is just that you are maxing out the tape.

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[scotto27]

That's what all indications would be for me too, but if it says hardware compression enabled in the job log. Shouldn't it be able to get near 40 GB?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[SQLBill]

Not always...I have 100/200 GB tapes and rarely ever get near 200 GB compressed. I'm usually just over 100 GB (about 145GB or so).

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[scotto27]

I gotcha. Thanks for the replies. I'll just pop an extended tape in next time and see what happens.