You have tried labeling a new tape, yes?  This wouldn't be just several bad
tapes?  

It is curious that you get the 95% failure figure on labeling but the
failures *always* return the same size string in the error message.  No
kernel messages about device problems?  You've verified that a large dd
to/from the tape drive doesn't have the same problem?  (by large I mean 10
Meg at least so you rev the drive up to full speed for a few seconds.)

This sort of puzzling behavior makes me think hardware and firmware, not
Amanda.  Maybe your drive needs an overhaul?  


Dana Bourgeois


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-amanda-users AT amanda DOT org 
> [mailto:owner-amanda-users AT amanda DOT org] On Behalf Of Jon LaBadie
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 7:15 AM
> To: amanda-users AT amanda DOT org
> Subject: Re: problem labelling tapes
> 
> 
> On Fri, Oct 24, 2003 at 09:43:38AM +0100, Tony wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > Good idea. I have done this now. Went and downloaded the manual and 
> > there are two DIP switches that are relevant. I quote from 
> the manual:
> > 
> > -------
> > Data Compression (switches 1 and 2)
> > 
> > If switch 1 is ON (default), HW data compression is 
> enabled. If switch 
> > 1 is OFF, HW data compression is disabled.
> > 
> > If dip switch 2 is ON (default), then SCSI commands can be used to 
> > enable or disable HW data compression. To prevent HW data 
> compression 
> > from being enabled or disabled by SCSI commands, set DIP 
> switch 2 to 
> > OFF
> > -------
> > 
> > That all sounds pretty straight forward. I turned dip 
> switches 1 & 2 
> > OFF so that HW compression is disabled and can't be turned 
> on again by 
> > the software.
> > 
> > I would hope that if I have physically set these switches, 
> that even 
> > putting in a tape that was previously written on with compression 
> > enabled could not over-ride the DIP switch settings.
> > 
> 
> I would not make that assumption.
> The manual description of the effect of SW-2 refers to the 
> ability of software to change the compression setting, not 
> the ability of the hardware itself to change the setting.  
> Otherwise you would not be able to 'read' tapes previously 
> compressed.  Certainly not a desireable trait.
> 
> I would 'expect', but not assume, that after switching to HW 
> compression ON during a read, subsequent writes would still be 
> compression OFF if SW-2&1 and is off.  But one never knows does one?
> 
> BTW the manual for my drive has similar dip switch settings.  
> SW-1 is refered to as the "power on state".  So the drive 
> must be power cycled to restore that state after a switch 
> change. SW-2 is described as enabling/disabling software 
> control of the compression state.  But it doesn't say the 
> hardware can't change the state.
> 
> -- 
> Jon H. LaBadie                  jon AT jgcomp DOT com
>  JG Computing
>  4455 Province Line Road        (609) 252-0159
>  Princeton, NJ  08540-4322      (609) 683-7220 (fax)
> 
>