rclark@speclab.bgp-usgs.gov (Roger N. Clark) (08/04/89)
URGH!!!! I just received a HP9145A (32-track) cartridge tape drive. For the first time to my knowledge, I find there is a difference between tapes for this drive and those for previous (16-track) HP drives. A note in the drive shipping package says "Have you ordered 32-track cartridges?" No, a couple of days ago I ordered what I always order: a box of 5 HP certified cartridge tapes. It came in a new box and said 16 track. So how do I use over 3 thousand dollars in 16 track tapes? I assume I can exchange the unopened boxes. Can I get 16 track tapes reformatted to 32 track? Most of my old tapes have been written to about 5 times (average times recycled through backup). Do they have much life left? How many times can one expect to use the tapes (the tapes and computer are in a temperature/humidity controlled room; the computer has triple protection on the electrical circuits). *FLAME ON* I'M REALLY PISSED. If thousands of dollars of tapes are now useless, I would not have bought this drive since DAT drives will be available in less than a year or so. *FLAME OFF* Any solutions out there? Roger N. Clark ..!speclab!rclark
rclark@speclab.bgp-usgs.gov (Roger N. Clark) (08/04/89)
I forgot to mention: in the package with the new 9145A tape drive is
a catalog:
"Supplies and Accessories for Disc and Tape Drives"
(P/N5953-2468)
On page 8 and 9 are cartridge tapes--16 track, but not even a mention
of the existence of 32-track tapes!nre@otter.hpl.hp.com (Nigel Evans) (08/10/89)
If you wanted to use your existing 16 track cartridge tape stock in a 9145 then forget it. There are a large number of reasons for the 9145 not being able to WRITE to 16 track cartridges: 1. The 32 track cartridges have an extra tape guide which 16 track cartridges dont. This gives the extra mechanical accuracy neccesary to write the tracks in the corrrect place. 2. The 32 track cartridges have different drive belts from 16 track cartridges. These ensure correct tape tension at the 9145's write speed (120 inches per second). Even if the above problems disappeared then: 3. The 32 track cartridges (as you pointed out) are formatted differently. HP buys these from 3M's, who do the formatting. The 3M folks are the only ones who can reformat cartridges (even HP can't !). The 9145 can READ 16 track tapes. As far as life expectancy, a cartridge should easily cope with 100 passes (assuming a good operating and storage environment). The 9145 will indicate "media worn" after 100 loads of a 32 track tape providing the tape is write enabled (so it can update the tape log). I have passed your note on to our marketing folks. They put a lot of effort into informing customers of 16/32 track compatibility, but not, it seems, enough. I have also asked them to ensure the catalog you specified has 32 track tapes listed in future editions. All 1/4 inch users note: HP9144A = 16 Track drive. HP9145A = 32 Track drive. HP35401A = 8 * 16 Track cartridge autochanger/drive. A 600ft 16 Track cartridge can hold 67 Mbytes. Order HP88140LC (Box of five) A 600ft 32 Track cartridge can hold 133 Mbytes. Order HP92245L (Box of five). If anyone has had problems of this sort I'de like to know. E-mail me (address below). Kevin Jones (yes, I stole another guys login) kev@hpcpbla@otter.lb.hp.co.uk