Xref: utzoo comp.unix.xenix:7463 comp.unix.i386:333
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dogie.macc.wisc.edu!uwvax!shorty!thurm
From: thurm@shorty.CS.WISC.EDU (Matthew Thurmaier)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.xenix,comp.unix.i386
Subject: Re: Xenix vs. Unix?
Message-ID: <8293@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
Date: 6 Sep 89 02:48:47 GMT
References: <12@dynasys.UUCP> <14@nstar.UUCP> <1989Sep3.222437.25599@ddsw1.MCS.COM> <34@nstar.UUCP> <26@fleet.UUCP>
Sender: news@spool.cs.wisc.edu
Reply-To: thurm@shorty.cs.wisc.edu (Matthew Thurmaier)
Organization: The Computer Classroom - An SCO Authorized Training Center
Lines: 50

In article <26@fleet.UUCP> mel sheers writes:
In article <34@nstar.UUCP> larry@nstar.UUCP (Larry Snyder) writes:
>	SCO Xenix isn't all that great at tape drive support either.  Ever since I 
>	switched to 2.3.1 Xenix it takes TWO attempts at starting the tape drive.
>	(I'm using an Archive 150 meg/QIC02 internal on my HP Vectra 386/RS20) 
>	(I also tried an Emerald controller as well as the original Archive unit)
>	
>	I recently called SCO support after going trough numerous checks of addresses.
>	interrupts, etc.  Their answer was "O'yeah, we do have a few problems with
>	some tape drivers.  They're on our 'list', but I'm not sure when (or if)
>	they're going to fix them".
>	
>	Great!!  I can't wait to tell my customers about this.  Just start up your
>	backups twice because the first time there's an allergy between the tape
>	unit and the CPU so it requires a smooth-out-the-wrinkles false start.  
>	BTW 'tape reset' hangs the tape drive so completely that the CPU has to be
>	rebooted.  Would you trust any backups that require this type of maneuvering
>	to make it go? 
>	
>	Archive wasn't the only one with problems either.  The rep was hard pressed
>	to give me an answer on just one "brand" that worked correctly.
>	

Mel, Let me start with a disclaimer: I DON'T SELL PRODUCT!  By SCO rules, I
am considered an INDEPENDENT training center, that means I train and consult,
not sell.  I ALWAYS tell my students that I have seen lots of tape drives,
the ONLY ONE I KNOW WORKS IS _____________.  This particular tape drive and
controller combination has worked for me from 2.1.1 on a 286 through 2.3.1
on a 386.  

I left the name of the drive/controller manufacturer blank because I am NOT
endoursing ANYBODY's product.  If you want to know the name of something
that ALWAYS WORKS, drop me an e-mail message and I'll tell you what ALWAYS 
WORKS.  That goes for anyone else on the net.

I also tell my students what doesn't work, or works poorly.  These I will
share with you: IRWIN IS UNRELIABLE.  I wouldn't trust a saved rogue game
to them.  Also, while maynard mainstreams reportedly work great novell servers, they haven't gotten the hang of getting them to work with xenix/unix yet.

Again, I hope this information is helpful to you and others on the net.

Sincerely,
matthew.
Snail Mail:                                 E Mail:
Matthew J. Thurmaier                ...!{allegra,harvard,seismo}!shorty!matt
The Computer Classroom              matt@shorty.wisc.edu
6701 Seybold Road, Ste. 122
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 271-2171
                                  "why am I ALWAYS going somewhere?" >>-matt-->