PhilCade
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New LTO2 tapes unable to store more than 200gb ?
Hi there,
I recently bought some more LTO2 tapes for our nightly backups, however the new tapes do not hold more than around 197-202gb.
The normal tapes I am currently using are TDK tapes, and are backing up about 230gig at a compression ratio of 1.33. So it seems the drive, Arcserve and compression is all working good.
I recently bought some FujiFilm tapes and running the exact same nightly backup job, the job stops at about 197gb and Arcserve requests the next tape.
I assumed it was the brand of tape so I bought some Sony tapes, but these also stopped at about 201gb.
Thinking that maybe this drive has some sort of relationship with TDK tapes, I bought a new box of them, and these new TDK tapes stop at about 203gb.
Ive formatted the tapes as normal, compression is "on" and the block size is the same on all the tapes.
Have I missed something simple here ?
I recently bought some more LTO2 tapes for our nightly backups, however the new tapes do not hold more than around 197-202gb.
The normal tapes I am currently using are TDK tapes, and are backing up about 230gig at a compression ratio of 1.33. So it seems the drive, Arcserve and compression is all working good.
I recently bought some FujiFilm tapes and running the exact same nightly backup job, the job stops at about 197gb and Arcserve requests the next tape.
I assumed it was the brand of tape so I bought some Sony tapes, but these also stopped at about 201gb.
Thinking that maybe this drive has some sort of relationship with TDK tapes, I bought a new box of them, and these new TDK tapes stop at about 203gb.
Ive formatted the tapes as normal, compression is "on" and the block size is the same on all the tapes.
Have I missed something simple here ?
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ASKER
ComputerTechie: Ive updated the drivers and the firmware, but sadly this hasnt made any improvements :-(
SelfGovern: Thanks for the info. Yes, I am backing up the exact same data as this is the main file server.
It was suggested to me that the old tapes work better because they have not been wiped and are simply overwriting the data back to the same blocks, and that I should `erase` not just format an old working tape and see if the backup still works on this. I did this and the backup then failed at 220gb (230gb is a full working backup on normal old tapes)
Because this failed its now been suggested that the drive may simply be dirty, so I ran the cleaning tape again but the next backup on a new tape also failed.
This leads me to believe the drive may be faulty after all....
The drive is a Quantum/Certance, I downloaded and run the xTalk Console diagnostics software, and this has now thrown up an error on one of the tests :
"LTO Error Rate Test -------- : Failed"
Ive since been advised this still may be dirty drive issue, so Im going to order a new cleaning tape, give that a whirl and try again. Fingers crossed.
SelfGovern: Thanks for the info. Yes, I am backing up the exact same data as this is the main file server.
It was suggested to me that the old tapes work better because they have not been wiped and are simply overwriting the data back to the same blocks, and that I should `erase` not just format an old working tape and see if the backup still works on this. I did this and the backup then failed at 220gb (230gb is a full working backup on normal old tapes)
Because this failed its now been suggested that the drive may simply be dirty, so I ran the cleaning tape again but the next backup on a new tape also failed.
This leads me to believe the drive may be faulty after all....
The drive is a Quantum/Certance, I downloaded and run the xTalk Console diagnostics software, and this has now thrown up an error on one of the tests :
"LTO Error Rate Test -------- : Failed"
Ive since been advised this still may be dirty drive issue, so Im going to order a new cleaning tape, give that a whirl and try again. Fingers crossed.
It also could be a cable issues.
when the tape drive moves it triggers.
CT
when the tape drive moves it triggers.
CT
ASKER
At last, I eventulay get the Tape Drive replaced while the old one is off to repair/clean and everything is working back to normal.
The drive head must simply be worn out or too dirty to be cleaned with regular Cartridge Cleaners.
Im still a little confused to why the old tapes worked fine but the new ones wouldnt, but hey, the problem is now solved. !
The drive head must simply be worn out or too dirty to be cleaned with regular Cartridge Cleaners.
Im still a little confused to why the old tapes worked fine but the new ones wouldnt, but hey, the problem is now solved. !
The older tapes might have a stronger magnetic field on the tape and it might need a factory firmware update to read new tapes.
Gland to hear it fixed for now.
CT
Gland to hear it fixed for now.
CT
It would like it not recognizing the tape correctly.
CT