How do u format a cartridge?

[meg_2]

our os: HP-UX B.10.20

sometimes system said "tape read error" when i try to tar something into a cartridge, so i decide to format the tape. what should i do?

thanks:)

[federico_3]

use mediainit


federico

[Printaporn_1]

actually we don't need to format the tape cause
whenever we use rewind device file or re-insert the media , when we write to the media , it will be overwrite.

in your case , I think it's hardware problem , either media or drive.

verify by chang media , clean drive.

[MANOJ SRIVASTAVA]

Hi Meq

Infact I have not come across any utils to format a full tape , the only way you can test is is by writing on it , you can use any methods to write on it using big block sizes

dd if=/dev/null of=/dev/tm/XXX bs=8000K .
In you you case it looks like :

1. Ist Probability MEDIA PROBLEM ( try using genuine HP Media ) and faster recycling .

2. 2nd Probability DRIVE BAD , some times a simple head cleaning would do the magic.

Also I am sure you are using the right media for the tape drive.

Manoj Srivastava

[meg_2]

hi, Manoj
where is genuine HP Media???
and how to clean tape head???

[melvyn burnard]

you can buy the media from any HP dealer/reseller, or HP themselves. A cleaning tape will be available at the same source.

[MANOJ SRIVASTAVA]

Hi Meq

As Melyvn had put it , genuine HP Media can be directly bought from HP too , also I ahve found in many cases that a good HP Media or a fresh cartridge solves lots of problem . Like our VCR's the tape drive heads also accumaltes dirt and should be cleaned using cleaning tape or cartridge.

Manoj Srivastava