A3183A getting errors when backing up

[daniel smith_3]

My E35 running 10.20 is freezing up when it attempts to do an automated backup. When run manually the messages are: Unexpected Write error. Error No 5.
/dev/rmt/c0t0d0BEST: Cannot create the specified file. write failed: I/O error. All was fine with these backups until suddenly last Tuesday. Nothing was changed on last tuesday, and I tried two dat drives both gettting the same errors!
Thanks for your help!
Dan

[Peter Godron]

Dan,
Please check first that tape is not write protected and drive has been cleaned.
Can you ioscan -C tape the drive?
What about mt -t /dev/rmt/c0t0d0BEST status
If all of this fails you may have to recreate the drivers.
Regards

[Peter Godron]

Dan,
any update on this?
If the problem has been solved, could you please close the thread?
Thanks

[daniel smith_3]

this is what I get when I try the mt command.
mt -t /dev/rmt/c0t0d0BEST status --> unknown command status mt -t /dev/rmt/c0t0d0BEST --> usage: mt [-t tape] command [count]
When I do the ioscan -C tape it seems to work fine. it sees the path and type of tape. I will try to reload the drivers next.
thanks for your help.

[Andrew Hazell]

Dan

The heads often wear out on these, I have the name of a repair company for these, let me know if you need it.