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Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

 
Tracey_10
Occasional Advisor

tape format/initalize a DAT tape

Is there a utility available for the HP Sure Store DAT24 (C1556D) that allows me to format or initialize a tape?
I have an application that writes to DAT tapes.
After the application writes to the tape, Win2K Backup sees it as a foreign media and will not use it.
When I was using WinNT, WinNT had an initialize/format utility built in
Win2K media tool option is grayed out.

Thanks, Tracey
7 REPLIES 7
Bob_196
Trusted Contributor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

Win2K backup is not a supported backup software - however you can use the NoPoll Erase function and should allow the Win2K Backup to recognize the tape again.

(1) From a command prompt, type ntbackup.exe /nopoll
(2) Select Operations > Erase Tape from the menu
Tracey_10
Occasional Advisor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

ntbackup.exe /nopoll does not seem to work.
Does any other utility exist?
I am not really interested in a backup utility, just a format/initalize utility
Thanks, Tracey
Eugeny Brychkov
Honored Contributor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

I run 'ntbackup /?' and it brings help window. I click to 'maintain media'. Then to 'format a tape'. Try looking there...
Eugeny
Tracey_10
Occasional Advisor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

I did that and "/nopoll" is not there.
I even sent the output to a file "> save.txt
Is it an unofficial/undocumented feature?

Thanks, Tracey
Tracey_10
Occasional Advisor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

I found the following when dealing with media:
"This procedure is only applicable if you have a DC-2000-type tape drive, which requires that you format a tape before you use it."

Isn't there a utility that wipes the partition table or just blanks the tape?
Thanks, Tracey
Tracey_10
Occasional Advisor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

I discovered that ntbackup /nopoll is an option for WinNT, but NOT for Win2K.

Dead End I guess.

Thanks anyway, Tracey
Volker Borowski
Honored Contributor

Re: tape format/initalize a DAT tape

Hi,

tape management is no more part of NT-Backup in W2K ! This is because of the general Removable Storage Manager Concept in W2K which also handles CDs and WORMs.

Check for RSM.EXE and related documentation.
I am not involved with the exact handling of this, but this is what I took from a lunch with our W2K guy. RSM needs to be useed to mount, initialize and sometimes to eject the tape. Before NTBACKUP can use any tape, it must be seen in the Removable Media Section in the Computer Management.

Hope this helps
Volker