Bl##DY IT - HELP

[fish]

I know its off topic but I've run out of options. If anyone can help please e-mail me.

Ive got a 2000 server with an Onstream DI30 tape drive. When using the microsoft backup option and I try to format a tape it loads it then says the media drive doesn't support formating and won't do it.

How do I get it to let me format my tapes?

[Mrs Fish]

Tough day dear?

[philly]

Try downloading a new driver.

Has it ever worked? Or has it just packed up?

[fish]

Backs up fine and works apart from won't format. I've got the latest drivers, sp3 on Win 2000 etc etc. Tryed using downloadable prog from Onstream but that just greys out the format option.

Have escalated the problem with Onstream but that will take time and I've got tapes that need formating. Also tried turning off the antivirus - same result.

[CarZee]

Some media types don't support user formatting - only erasure.. (don't!).

If you can back up, restore and erase, don't worry about it any further.

If the driver was clever though, it'd tremove the format ooption if it's not valid.. but then you are using NT backup which is a bit primative.

Thinking about it, you might be able to format the media in the Remote Storage control panel rather than NTBackup, but I doubt it's required anyway.

Edit: If the OnStream software greys out the format option, then there's your answer... you can't format it but the native Win2k software is too dumb to know that.

>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Thursday 27th February 13:49

[Agent006]

I've never been able to get the windows 2000 backup to work. I believe the solution's called Veritas BackupExec, or something similar.

[fish]

The reason I want to format is because one of the discs is showing inconsitencies on verify data. ie it probebly corrupt. Under Onstreams software you can format but this doesn't work on Win 2000 server thats why I'm now using MS backup no budget for third party backup software.

[CarZee]

Agent006 said: I've never been able to get the windows 2000 backup to work. I believe the solution's called Veritas BackupExec, or something similar.

that's what we use here since I lambasted people about their backup strategy & it's what I use at home (no connect.. honest )

It's streets ahead of the MS freebie offerings, but it's also expensive.

You can get by with NTBackup though. I should know - I have over 300 servers in the room behind me doing just that. Pain in teh ass when it comes to restore stuff though and the Remote Storage media management is clunky & unintuitive but hey.. who cares.. keeps lazy barstewards like me in a job.

[alunr]

The backup on 2000 is fine unless you want to do SQL or similar. Chase onstream - its your only real option

[CarZee]

fish said: The reason I want to format is because one of the discs is showing inconsitencies on verify data. ie it probebly corrupt. Under Onstreams software you can format but this doesn't work on Win 2000 server thats why I'm now using MS backup no budget for third party backup software.

Ah.. you appear to be grasping the incorrect end of the woody appendage..

From that, nmy first course of action would be to run a scandisk on the affected volume (My Computer/Right Clik on Drive/Properties/Tools/Check for Errors).

If there's a disparity between what was written to tape and compared back then the probable reasons are:

i) Corruption on disk
ii) Open file was backed up which was changed between backup and verify.
iii) tape shagged - bin it! (It hurts when the tapes are so bloody expensibve I know, but it's a last reort and not likely to be the answer..)

[pbrettle]

Carzee is on the right track I am afraid - the Microsoft Backup software is crap and cut down at best. You really need something that is a little more functional. You can get some pretty good packages for less than £250 so shouldnt be too much a problem. But the Microsoft one is really basic and wont support all of the media types / drivers that you might need.

Oh, and sounds like you have hit the limit of the Microsoft software here. I have only seen it working in really simple DAT / single directory situations - its too unreliable for anything more than that.

Cheers,

Paul

[mel]

CarZee said:

Agent006 said: I've never been able to get the windows 2000 backup to work. I believe the solution's called Veritas BackupExec, or something similar.

that's what we use here since I lambasted people about their backup strategy & it's what I use at home (no connect.. honest )

Yep I use that too, don't know if it works or not to be honest I just leave it to my IT guru and hope he's got it right Oh yes and remember to change the tapes every friday well most fridays......

[CarZee]

pbrettle said: Carzee is on the right track I am afraid - the Microsoft Backup software is crap and cut down at best.

Umm.. hang on a sec... for a single server flat file backup solution, NT Backup is usually fine. yes, it's basic and in Win2k the media management is a bit convoluted, but it generally works okay.

When you're dealing with data worth megabucks or lots of servers, a proper solution like Veritas BackupExec is advisable.

Since Fish has already said there's no budget for 3rd party software, we might as well try to help with what he's using. After all.. if someone posts a question about their Fiesta, it's no use pointing out that you wouldn't have the same problem in a BMW, now is it?

Edit to get me R's in the right position.. (Looks around furtively & hopes Joust is stil on holiday )

>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Thursday 27th February 14:30

[summs]

What techno phobes like me hear when listening to this thread:

"blah blah blah, computer, blah blah blah, back-up, blah blah, Microsoft, blah, wonkers, blah blah, tools, options, blah blah, download, upstream, blah blah, trussocks, TVR, blah blah, garage, blah blah blah, she loved it, blah blah blah"

[danhay]

This thread is great!

I'm creating a shortcut to it. Then if my boss catches me on Pistonheads I can jump to it and claim I was researching a tape backup problem

[fish]

Thanks anyway chaps, I'm now sorting a legal crisis wearing another of my many hats. I'll therefore wait till Onstream get back and if they can't fix it I'll ask for a new tape as they are under warrenty for 5years.

Now I'll concentrate on my T350 on Saturday

[Mrs Fish]