Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!cica!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!rutgers!cbmvax!atha!louis
From: louis@cs.AthabascaU.CA (Louis Schmittroth)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.i386
Subject: Re: Colorado Memory Jumbo+ Tape Drive and Esix
Summary: Be wary of JUMBO under UNIX/Xenix
Keywords: tape backup esix
Message-ID: <1653@atha.AthabascaU.CA>
Date: 11 Feb 90 17:34:49 GMT
References: <8396@portia.Stanford.EDU> <285@westmark.UU.NET>
Organization: Athabasca University
Lines: 24

In article <285@westmark.UU.NET>, dave@westmark.UU.NET (Dave Levenson) writes:
> In article <8396@portia.Stanford.EDU>, bir7@portia.Stanford.EDU (Ross Biro) writes:
> > Does anyone know anything about the Colorado Memory Systems Jumbo+ tape backup
> > system.  It is a 40/60 meg QIC-40 tape drive which connects to a floppy
> > controller and sells for about $250.  I am considering purchasing one for
> > use with ESIX, and would like to know if drivers exist and other usefull
> > information.
> 
> 
> They also told me that I could use the Xenix software if I didn't
> need their software-based compression feature.  I ordered the Xenix
> package, but I don't have enough information to install it properly
> under UNIX.

I would recommend staying away from the JUMBO drive at least on Xenix,
and probably on UNIX.  I installed two, and had to remove both.  Erratic
operation, slow, and one just started eating tapes and died.  I replaced
both with ARchive ST600 (or now FT60i, I believe is the code).  This
comes with a separate controller, is fast and I've had no more troubles.

On MS-DOS I have heard they are OK.  The nice thing about the ARCHIVE
drive is that it is supported directly by SCO.  I did have to call the
customer support number and get the right interrupt setting, but after
that it was sweetness and light.