DAT Tape Drives

[.Flyer]

Anyone familiar with DAT Tape Drives?

A client has a Sony DDS2 tape drive that won't load tapes. I have a number of DDS2 tapes that I have to recover, but no drive. Ideally, I'd like to replace the Sony with a HP StorageWorks DAT 72, but the tech spec states that the compatibility is: DAT 72, DDS-4, DDS-3 (ANSI/ISO/ECMA); 4 mm Helical Scan. Is there any chance that it will read a DDS2 tape?

Failing that, is there any DAT72 tape drive available that is compatible with DDS2? Failing that does anyone have a known working DDS2 tape drive that they would be willing to sell for a reasonable sum (as the client still needs a DAT72 or equivalent)?

Thanks all, getting pretty desperate now (client's SCSI HD failed, sent off to data recovery company who can't recover it as the platters are physically damaged and are trashing the newly installed heads as soon as it spools up )

[GregE240]

AFAIK, a DAT72 WILL read a DDS2 tape.

I *think* its only read only, i.e. you can restore from one, but cannot back up to it.

That any good to you?

[BliarOut]

I *think* it'll read too. But if the client is that far in the schtook I would have thought they could buy a refurbed DAT24 or something. I seem to recall www.castlecomputers.uk.net is run by PH'er 968CSReading. Might be worth giving him a shout.

[GregE240]

Further to Robs comment, theres a load for sale on Fleabay at £18 with Buy it Now options...

[.Flyer]

Thanks chaps, that's given another angle to go for. A bit more research seems to indicate that compatibility only goes back 2 generations, i.e. DAT72 will read DDS4 and DDS3, but not DDS2. So, perhaps get hold of a DDS4 drive which will read DDS2. Looking on ebay, a used DDS4 drive is c.£60. A new external one c.£290.

Might be better to go for a new external drive which the client can then use as their main backup drive; this was my original thinking with replacing the Sony with a DAT72 drive. DDS4 will give 40GB compressed which will be sufficient.

Thanks again, that's crystallised my thoughts

[968CSReading]

BliarOut said:

I *think* it'll read too. But if the client is that far in the schtook I would have thought they could buy a refurbed DAT24 or something. I seem to recall www.castlecomputers.uk.net is run by PH'er 968CSReading. Might be worth giving him a shout.

Thanks for the heads up, yes we specialise in back up solutions, mainly refurbished. If I can be of any help let me know.

[SneakyNeil]

Bum, didn't see this thread the first time round. I'm in Alsager and have a fair few random DAT's knocking around!

[Zumbruk]

GregE240 said:

Further to Robs comment, theres a load for sale on Fleabay at £18 with Buy it Now options...

I wouldn't buy a 2nd hand helical scan tape drive, other than from an established supplier with a written guarantee. They all have a limited lifetime, and many of the ones on eBay are bound to be knackered. I'm looking for a DLT, my Exabyte no longer being big enough, and I wouldn't buy an unknown DLT for me, never mind for work.

(BTW, I have a (narrow, slow) SCSI 4mm Archive Python that you can have for P&P, if it's any use to you.)

[968CSReading]

Agreed, we buy a lot from ebay and it all has to go through the workshop.

We sell all our tape drives with a 90 day warranty and they are tested using manf software.

Plenty of refurb DLT in stock too

[pcwilson]

.Flyer said:

DDS4 will give 40GB compressed which will be sufficient.

You never get 2:1 compression. Depending on the data you're backing up, you'll be lucky to get 25GB on a 20/40GB tape in my experience.