fbackup error: can't write to tape device

[Debbie Fleith]

Whether I use fbackup, or cpio, I can't access the tape device. I have cleaned the drive, used different tapes that should be OK, and also ran "mt -t /dev/rmt/0m rew" then ran fbackup in verbose mode as another forum article suggests. I still get the following error:

"fbackup(3047): could not open output file /dev/rmt/0m"

Oddly enough, an frecover of the tape header seems to work.

Do I need a new tape drive?

[SM_3]

What hardware are you using and what OS?

[Paula J Frazer-Campbell]

Hi

To eliminate the device file send the fbackup to :-

/dev/rmt/c?d?t?BEST


HTH

Paula

[Debbie Fleith]

This is an HP D220 11.0 server with a C1533A 4GB DDS DAT drive.

[SM_3]

did you try Paula's suggestion? What happend.

I've had the same problem.

Was it working before?

[Helen French]

Hi Debbie:

Did you try a small tar backup:
# tar -cvf /dev/rmt/0m /tmp/testfile
If this is successful, then try doing fbackup again. Also check the patches installed on the system. Apply the latest patch bundle if required.

Shiju

[Debbie Fleith]

Yes, I have tried the suggestion to use the "BEST" device, and I get the same error.

This is a tape drive and system that has worked fine for 2 years.

[Debbie Fleith]

FYI tar also fails with same error

[Sanjay_6]

hi Debbie,

do a "ioscan -fnkC tape" and make sure you are using the correct /dev/rmt/?m file

Hope this helps.

Regds

[SM_3]

I'd try the tar suggestion, see if that works.

If it does try the fbackup again.

[SM_3]

sorry
you tried that already

[Debbie Fleith]

I am using the right tape device. Shall I assume the drive is bad now that I've tried all of these suggestions?

[Darren Prior · Accepted solution]

Hi Debbie,

I think you may well need to have the drive replaced. If you're able to read from known good tapes, but not able to write using fbackup, cpio, tar then the write head could be damaged.

regards,

Darren.

[Tom Ward_1]

If you have hardware diagnostics installed you can
use stm (list xstm best) to run diagnostics on the tape drive. It is a good tool for isolating a hardware problem.
Good luck.