tyager@maxx.UUCP (Tom Yager) (06/06/88)
After getting a list of supported tape drives from SCO, I purchased an Irwin 40MB drive. I like it a lot, with one exception: there doesn't seem to be a way to put multiple tar, cpio or dump volumes on one tape. I have heard this before. In fact, the on-line docs for tar say that the 'r' option cannot be used with tape devices. I think that's where it would be most useful. It's not the tape drive's fault--I'm sure it is stupid enough to just do as it is told, and Irwin's DOS software has no trouble appending stuff at the end of an archive. Two questions come of this: 1) has anyone written a program, compatible or otherwise (with tar, etc.) to write files to an Irwin drive which permits appending? and 2) could someone send me a sample of code showing how to manipulate the drive (just show read, write, and positioning) so that I might cook up my own? I've tried calling the manufacturer (Irwin) to get a summary of commands for the drive. I was not able to find any Xenix documentation which lists the commands recognized by the driver. Did I get fooled into buying one of the famous "nobody's babies?" Thanks to all in advance. Responses via Email, please. (ty) -- ----- Tom Yager E-Mail: ... decvax!mkunix!maxx!tyager --or-- ...tyager%maxx@m2c.m2c.org "Eat a live toad in the morning; nothing worse will happen to you that day."