Xref: utzoo comp.sys.3b1:484 comp.sys.att:11889 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!convex!egsner!texrex!rmfowler From: rmfowler@texrex.uucp (Rex Fowler) Newsgroups: comp.sys.3b1,comp.sys.att Subject: Re: 3b1 tape drive blues Message-ID: <1991Feb26.021716.403@texrex.uucp> Date: 26 Feb 91 02:17:16 GMT References: <1991Feb22.062723.333@texrex.uucp> <3402@naucse.cse.nau.edu> Reply-To: rmfowler%texrex@cirr.com Organization: texrex - Personal System - Dallas, TX Lines: 54 In article <3402@naucse.cse.nau.edu> jdc@naucse.cse.nau.edu (John Campbell) writes: >From article <1991Feb22.062723.333@texrex.uucp>, by rmfowler@texrex.uucp (Rex Fowler): >> >> 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). > >Let me add my experience and ask for the tape experts to jump in here on >the net. > >etc.) > >On machine B the tape drive behaves as described by Rex above. In other words, >the same controller, tape drive and cable that works fine in two machines >fails in my third machine! I've even changed out the CPU and ROMS between >machine A and machine B with no luck. Machine B, by the way, passes all >standard diagnostics but fails the floppy tape diagnostics. > >Again, the machine that fails will pass the controller diagnostics and then >tell me that tape drive is not ready. I'm sure both Rex and I are wondering >what signal is used to tell the 3b1 that the tape drive is ready and what >possible explanation there would be that could explain the above situation. > >Rex, it may be that there is nothing wrong with your cable, tape drive >or controller board. Know anyone nearby who would let you use your floppy >tape on their machine? >-- > John Campbell jdc@naucse.cse.nau.edu > CAMPBELL@NAUVAX.bitnet > unix? Sure send me a dozen, all different colors. This seems very weird but I'm coming to expect it. I think I know someone who will let me test it on his system. I was playing around with it tonight and i stuck another tape in, waited for the retensioning phase to complete and then THIS time the light came on and the latch locked. I still wasn't able to access the tape, I got the same error icon at the top of the screen telling me the drive wasn't ready. I was hopeful there for a second but no luck. Computer Horizons (Thanks Little David!!) offered to have a look at it but I will try to do some testing locally first. P.S. John, I've been trying to reach you via email on another topic, I used the address in your sig but I haven't heard from you yet. The mail didn't bounce. Have you received it? -- Rex Fowler UUCP: egsner!texrex!rmfowler Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com