[mod.computers.vax] Harris tapes

SYSRUTH@UTORPHYS.BITNET.UUCP (12/06/86)

First of all, the TCP summary is on the way - lots to tell.

Now, the real question:

A friend of mine has a magtape written on a HARRIS/4 (I think that's the
model number - definitely the make, anyway), which contains vital data.
The tape is unlabelled. However, the biggest problem is that the record
and block size on the tape is - are you ready - 98,640 bytes. As most of
you probably know, both VAXes and IBMs can only handle a maximum blocksize
of 64K (65,534). Does anybody know of any way around this? Is a HARRIS the
only machine that can read a record this big? Can VMS be "fooled" somehow,
either by changing a value in some location, or by fudging tape operations
(the latter is not a method of choice since they only have one copy)?

VMS-oriented responses are welcome (although I am sure most will be "you're
out of luck"), but if anyone has ever come across a similar situation, I
would also appreciate hearing from you (as would my friend, I am sure).

Thanks in advance for answers to this very-humble request.

Ruth Milner
System Manager
Physics/Astronomy, U. of Toronto
SYSRUTH@UTORPHYS (BITNET)

Since answers may not be VAX-specific, I guess they would be best sent
directly to me. Any VAX/VMS hints will be posted.