Error 4055: Unrecognized format (DAT72 USB & Data Protector Express SSE)

[CA1452877]

I've set up my backup job using the Backup Local Machine wizard. For the Auto-format mode option I selected "Auto format blank media only".

I put a brand new tape in and scheduled the job for early in the morning. When I looked at it later the next morning I had the error mentioned in the subject line.

I had to actually create a format job, format the tape and then run the backup job again. Isn't this option supposed to format the new tape or am I misunderstanding it??? Thanks.

[tom quach]

Dave,

I am not sure what is the different between dataprotector and data protector express SSE .But in data protector i have to format the tape. And if you have DAT72 device connect to windows, you should disable the tape drive in hardware devices.

Good luck,
Tom

[CA1452877]

So are you saying that even in Data Protector Express the option "Auto format blank media only" doesn't work or is it intended for a different purpose? Thank you for your reply.

[CA1452877]

In the manual it says the following:

Auto format blank media only: Instructs Data Protector Express to automatically format all new or blank
media. However, if Data Protector Express encounters unrecognized media, it sends an alert to the alert
window and then scans the network for the media it was expecting. This setting can help prevent data
from being accidentally destroyed by formatting, while not needlessly querying the user before formatting
a blank media.

So my question would be why is every new tape considered "unrecognized media". Is this a known issue?

[D Lancaster]

Hi Dave,

It is not an issue that I have heard reported before this. I'll have to do some testing and get back to you. Unfortunately I'm away from my test environment for another week.

Dave L.

[CA1452877]

Thanks David.

Here is some more information. It appears to have got worse. Most of the time when I run a format job for the tape that I put in I get a "Error 4056 Blank Media" error and then the cleaning light starts flashing.

I clean the tape drive, try again and same results. Rebooted the server and same results.

A couple tapes actually said that the format was successful but more often than not I get this error message.

Also on one of the tapes in which it said it formatted successfully I ran a full backup job however it "crawled". After 8 hours it only backed up a couple thousand files.

[D Lancaster]

It is beginning to sound like you have a tape problem rather than a DP Express problem. I don't want to send you around in circles but I'd recommend you try the following:

1. Download and install the latest driver for the USB DAT from hp.com. You can get it at:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?〈=en&cc=us&pnameOID=3176887&taskId=135&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=501423〈=en&cc=us

2. Download a copy of HP's Library and Tape Tools and run the basic write/read tests (you'll need a blank tape). The free software is available on hp.com at the same link.

If you get any errors call the support phone number and ask to talk to someone about exchanging your tape drive.

If there are no errors, go to the devices section of Data Protector Express, stop the tape drive and delete it. Then tell Data Protector express to scan for new devices. After it finds it again you can try a backup.

Dave L