DLT Tape density

[Tim Medford]

I have a server with a new DLT8000 drive. When I pop in a new tape(never used) the LEDs indicate 40gb and compressed. This is correct and what I'm expecting.

If I put in a tape that had been previously written on by a DLT4000 drive, the LEDs indicate 20gb and compressed. I press the density-override button, but I still can't get it to stay on 40gb.

Is there some trick to this? Do I need to re-initialize the tapes or something?

The tapes are HP DLT IV 40-80gb cartridges, HP part #C5141F.

Thanks in advance!
Tim

[Jitendra_1]

Hi

The DLT drive senses the tape density of used tapes and shows accordingly. So your used tapes might be written previously with 20Gb density. You can override this using the buttons on the drive. When you select 40g , that LED will keep blinking . If the LEd is blinking in your case then you are fine.
hope this helps.

[James A. Donovan]

Try rewinding the tape to the beginning, then write something out to it using one of the /dev/rmt/*BEST* devices. I think that should reset what the tape's density is.