> >If you're still willing to bet your data on such a drive, you can
> >configure Amanda to put all backups on the holding disk and then
> > flush them to the tape. By flushing you won't get any writing
> > time gaps and the backup will succeed.
> 
> I have to ask, how does one go about doing this?

I second this: how does one go about doing this?

It sounds like the short block issue is not the real culprit, but it
also sounds like filling the holding disk (of which I have over 80G
anyway, and the tape holds only 50 at best) will solve the problem

I think I will also run amverify after evry backup as well!

Thank you Henning for your detailed and definitive answer.

Best regards,
Dick