Xref: utzoo comp.sys.3b1:481 comp.sys.att:11886 Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!hybrid!scifi!bywater!uunet!beartrk!ceilidh!dnichols From: dnichols@ceilidh.beartrack.com (DoN Nichols) Newsgroups: comp.sys.3b1,comp.sys.att Subject: Re: 3b1 tape drive blues Message-ID: <1991Feb23.192032.639@ceilidh.beartrack.com> Date: 23 Feb 91 19:20:32 GMT References: <1991Feb22.062723.333@texrex.uucp> Organization: D and D Data, Vienna, VA. Lines: 70 In article <1991Feb22.062723.333@texrex.uucp> rmfowler%texrex@cirr.com writes: > >I just purchased a tape drive and controller for my 3b1. When >I run the tape diagnostics, the 3 tests for the controller pass but >then it says the tape drive isn't ready. The tape drive is plugged >in, connected to the board, and a tape is inserted and the retension >phase seems to work ok. Latch is closed also(pointing up). It won't be ready until retension is complete. > >The green light never comes on. The light should come on when the controller has the tape locked in the drive. If the light doesn't come on, the drive may not be getting the control signal from the controller, but it normally isnt' sent that signal until it says that it is ready. One possiblity is that the edge connector on the back of the drive may be upside down. (It should be keyed, so that could not happen, but it also normally doesn't have a ribbon cable going to the computer.) The cable from the back of the controller card to the back of the drive housing is DB-37 at each end, with round cable connecting the two. If this has been replaced by ribbon cable, all pins should be connected except the three closest to the pin-1 end of the DB-37. Make sure that the ribbon cable has not been flipped over. The edge with the stripe (wire 1) should be at the same end of both connectors. The run from the DB-37 at the back of the drive chassis to the drive should have the edge of the cable that is NEAR the pin-1 end of the DB-37 connected to pin 1 on the drive. If things are reversed ANYWHERE, you won't have proper communications with your drive. (of course, TWO reversals could work out right, if you are lucky. > >Since the controller seems to be ok, does anybody know where I can >check for problems in the drive. I already made sure the ribbon >cable was connected ok. I noticed there were some jumpers in there too. >However, these should be ok since this tape drive was on a unix-pc >before I bought it. Did you get everything in a single purchase? (Tape drive, housing, cable, controller, etc?) >I believe someone mentioned in the past that the controller was the >expensive/difficult to find item. How much does the AT&T drive cost? >Could I buy a cheaper similar one? The hamfest season is getting started (at least here in the Washington D.C. area, Vienna VA has its "Winterfest" tomorrow, Sunday the 24th). Hamfests are good places to look for something like this. I have picked up several similar drives for very little money in the past year. What I need is more controllers. :-) >I tried booting and accessing the tape drive but I get the errors >still. I loaded the driver but this is moot since it gives the error >when running the diagnostic diskette. > >Any help? I have the worst freakin luck with this machine. You don't give any idea of your physical location. If you are nearby, maybe we can get together and test the parts against my system. >Thanks You're welcome. DoN. -- Donald Nichols (DoN.) | Voice (Days): (703) 664-1585 D&D Data | Voice (Eves): (703) 938-4564 Disclaimer: from here - None | Email: --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com