erase the tape

[hnlixm]

how can i erase the tape:
# mt -f /dev/rmt/0m status
Drive: IBM ULTRIUM-TD3
Format:
Status: [41114438] BOT online compression immediate-report-mode
File: 0
Block: 0

what the command means? thankyou somebody!

[Dennis Handly]

You mean with a bulk eraser? Or burning/shredding the tape?
Or just writing a whole bunch of stuff on it?

[hnlixm]

just for rewirte

[Dennis Handly]

>just for rewrite

There is nothing you need to do, just write to it. (Unless it is a labeled tape or something.)

[hnlixm]

i run
# tar tvf /dev/rmt/0m
it display nothing
but actually i

#tar cvf /dev/rmt/0m 1.txt first

is the tape bad? or it is full

[Dennis Handly]

>is the tape bad? or it is full

If you did "tar cvf" then "tar tvf" and you don't have a no-rewind device, it would indicate something is wrong but not full.

[hnlixm]

i run

# mt -f /dev/rmt/0m rewind
# tar cvf /dev/rmt/0m 200908.tar.Z
a 200908.tar.Z 2280933 blocks
# tar tvf /dev/rmt/0m
rw-rw-rw- 1001/107 1167837679 Aug 21 17:37 2009 200908.tar.Z
# tar cvf /dev/rmt/0m 1.log
a 1.log 170 blocks
# tar tvf /dev/rmt/0m
rw-rw-rw- 1001/107 86588 Aug 24 17:57 2009 1.log
# tar -tvf /dev/rmt/0m 200908.tar.Z
rw-rw-rw- 1001/107 86588 Aug 24 17:57 2009 1.log

why the second file overwrite the first file

[Steven Schweda]

> why the second file overwrite the first file

What is your operating system? "uname -a"?

> [...] you don't have a no-rewind device
> [...]

man 7 mt

Look for "rewind".

[hnlixm]

HP-UX ty_86 B.11.23 U ia64 3035812023 unlimited-user license

[Steven Schweda]

> HP-UX ty_86 B.11.23 U ia64 3035812023 unlimited-user license

Ok, then "man 7 mt", or:

http://docs.hp.com/en/B2355-60103/mt.7.html

and look for "rewind".

An HP-UX forum search for keywords like:

tar tape rewind

should find many old discussions.