Jump to content

endless new disc request


Recommended Posts

Retrospect requests a new DVD, numbers it, then requests another without writing. I now have five new numbered, blank discs and backup has yet to commence. The amount to be written is 5.2GB and disc capacity is 4.7GB. Retrospect Backup 6.1.126; PowerPC G4; Mac OSX 10.3.9; Pioneer DVD-RW DVR 111D. Initial message was "Disc 8 is full. Two new discs will be required."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave, thank you for responding. I admit I don't know what an RDU is, but here is a copy of the log for one of the sessions that resulted in additional numbered DVDs but no backup.

 

∆ Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 5/14/2007 1:59 PM

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/14/2007 2:01 PM

To backup set MacDataBackup01…

 

- 5/14/2007 2:01:03 PM: Copying McData…

5/14/2007 2:03:35 PM: Execution stopped by operator.

Remaining: 1362 files, 5.1 GB

Completed: 0 files, zero KB

Performance: 0.0 MB/minute

Duration: 00:02:32 (00:02:17 idle/loading/preparing)

 

I added three DVDs during this session with no resulting backup.

 

richdesign

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I admit I don't know what an RDU is, but here is a copy of the log for one of the sessions that resulted in additional numbered DVDs but no backup.

 

Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 5/14/2007 1:59 PM

 


Thanks for posting the log. From your log, you don't have any Retrospect Driver Update ("RDU") installed at all. Here's what it should look like, showing that an RDU was loaded, and its version:

Quote:

Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 5/18/2007 10:04 AM

+ Retrospect Driver Update, version 6.1.9.102

 


The RDU updates are here:

RDU Revision History

 

I would suggest NOT using RDU 6.1.10.100 - many people are reporting problems with it.

 

You install the RDU in the same folder as the Retrospect program.

 

Russ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Russ,

Thank you for your response. I downloaded and installed RDU 6.1.5.102 for my Panasonic DVR-111D which is a replacement for the original drive. I have previously backed up successfully using this drive. This drive is listed in the RDU.

 

Unfortunately, Retrospect is still not writing to the DVDs. It is asking now for Disc 16. It wrote 13 files, 5.686 M to the first new disc (#9). It has written zero to all subsequent new discs.

 

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My G4 has a 60G boot and applications hard drive with five partitions. All of my data is on a slave drive of 40G. That is the drive which I am attempting to backup. This drive disappeared yesterday and immediately I thought that it had crashed forever and that Retrospect had been trying to warn me by refusing to backup the drive. I robbed a ribbon cable from my Windows computer and my slave drive is back online yet Retrospect continues to ask for new DVDs without writing a byte. Has anyone out there experienced anything like this?

 

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I thought that it had crashed forever and that Retrospect had been trying to warn me by refusing to backup the drive.

 


 

If you want to test the performance of the Source, independent of the behavior of the Destination, try and backup that same drive to another Type of backup Set, such as a File Backup Set stored on your boot drive. No need to use the entire 40 G; define a smaller folder as a Subvolume, and use that as your Test.

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave,

 

Thank you for the suggestion. I created a new volume (one folder from my data drive) and successfully backed it up to my boot drive as a new backup set. I created another new voume and attempted to backup to a new backup set on DVD. Retrospect named the new disc, then immediately asked for another new disc without writing. The Finder shows that Retropect is writing the file "RetropectCDinfo.text" to the DVD so I don't think the drive is faulty. Log follows:

 

∆ Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 5/26/2007 10:23 AM

+ Retrospect Driver Update, version 6.1.5.102

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/26/2007 10:28 AM

To backup set RichDesignClients…

 

- 5/26/2007 10:28:26 AM: Copying ClientsRichDesign on McData…

5/26/2007 10:37:46 AM: Comparing ClientsRichDesign on McData…

5/26/2007 10:49:11 AM: Execution completed successfully.

Completed: 8180 files, 7.6 GB

Performance: 749.8 MB/minute (833.4 copy, 681.3 compare)

Duration: 00:20:45

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/26/2007 11:55 AM

To backup set test…

 

- 5/26/2007 11:55:37 AM: Copying sodaparts on McData…

5/26/2007 11:57:45 AM: Execution stopped by operator.

Remaining: 362 files, 456.1 MB

Completed: 0 files, zero KB

Performance: 0.0 MB/minute

Duration: 00:02:08 (00:01:50 idle/loading/preparing)

 

Quit at 5/26/2007 12:01 PM

 

"Execution stopped by operator" because I didn't want to waste any more DVDs. After these tests, I am more puzzled than before.

 

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

After these tests, I am more puzzled than before.

 


 

Why? Your tests are narrowing down to some sort of hardware problem.

 

> my Panasonic DVR-111D ... is a replacement for the original drive.

 

Please explain. Is this an aftermarket purchase that you put inside your G4?

 

Might you have made a mistake in installing the device?

 

> The Finder shows that Retropect is writing the file "RetropectCDinfo.text" to the DVD so

> I don't think the drive is faulty

 

I'm not certain that the text file is actually written to the disk. The only reason you're seeing the CD as a mounted volume on your Macintosh at all is due to the presence of the kext file provided with Retrospect (Retrospect CD/DVD members do not have a file system that can be read by native Mac OS X). It's entirely possible that the text file is actually part of the kext, and is simply displayed in the volume window as if it were written to the disk.

 

I'd say try version 6.1.9.102 of the RDU, and I'd also try running the configuration routine just to see if Retrospect can write to the drive at all.

 

And although Retrospect's method of writing to disks is different then the DiskBurner software that's part of OS X, can you burn disks successfully from the Finder?

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave,

Thank you for sticking with this. Yes, I can burn DVDs from the finder. From the log excerpt below, you can see that I backed up my email to DVD successfully just before this problem manifested. I performed another backup of my email just before typing this response and everything worked properly. So it does appear that the drive (which is an aftermarket unit to replace the failed original) is installed and working properly.

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/14/2007 1:40 PM

To backup set Mail01…

 

- 5/14/2007 1:40:12 PM: Copying Mail on MacOSX…

5/14/2007 1:42:55 PM: Comparing Mail on MacOSX…

5/14/2007 1:43:48 PM: Execution completed successfully.

Completed: 270 files, 193.1 MB

Performance: 108.7 MB/minute (72.3 copy, 218.5 compare)

Duration: 00:03:36 (00:00:03 idle/loading/preparing)

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/14/2007 1:46 PM

To backup set MacDataBackup01…

 

- 5/14/2007 1:46:23 PM: Copying McData…

5/14/2007 1:57:46 PM: Execution stopped by operator.

Remaining: 1362 files, 5.1 GB

Completed: 13 files, 5686 KB

Performance: 5.3 MB/minute

Duration: 00:11:23 (00:10:21 idle/loading/preparing)

 

Quit at 5/14/2007 1:57 PM

 

I don't know what a kext is but the text file written by Retropect on every DVD it numbers reads "This disc is a member of a Retrospect Backup Set. The data on this disc is not accessible from the Finder but Retrospect will be able to access it" in three languages.

 

I already tried RDU 6.1.9.102 as the following log excerpt shows:

 

∆ Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 5/19/2007 11:16 AM

+ Retrospect Driver Update, version 6.1.9.102

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 5/19/2007 11:17 AM

To backup set MacDataBackup01…

 

- 5/19/2007 11:17:53 AM: Copying McData…

5/19/2007 11:24:56 AM: Execution stopped by operator.

Remaining: 1362 files, 5.1 GB

Completed: 0 files, zero KB

Performance: 0.0 MB/minute

Duration: 00:07:03 (00:06:46 idle/loading/preparing)

 

I have three DVDs marked as configuration discs but I am not sure how to use them.

 

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> From the log excerpt below, you can see that I backed up my email to DVD successfully

> just before this problem manifested

 

:: Banging head on keyboard ::

 

This is the first time you have revealed that you have been able to perform successful backups. That's a critical omission, which has wasted the time of people trying to help.

 

> I have three DVDs marked as configuration discs but I am not sure how to use them.

 

Please explain; how did the discs become "marked as configuration disks?" Did you mark them? Why did you mark them?

 

The fact that the hardware has successfully worked suggests the either you have changed something in your configuration, or that the drive is unreliable. My gut feeling is that there is something you have not told us that is the cause.

 

- Have you run a device configuration, using blank disks as requested by the program? If so, was this before or after the problem showed up?

 

That's all I can think of; you should take a step back and describe, step-by-step, what you have done, and what you have seen. There's a piece missing, and you are the only one who can supply it.

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave,

 

I am sorry that I was not more specific in my posting of 5/19/07 when I wrote "I downloaded and installed RDU 6.1.5.102 for my Panasonic DVR-111D which is a replacement for the original drive. I have previously backed up successfully using this drive. This drive is listed in the RDU." I replaced that drive in November 2006 and configured it at the time and successfully backed up this same drive during that Retrospect session. Log follows this message. I am a bit chagrined to admit that my next backup attempt was much later, April 14, 2007, which backup failed and resulted in this forum posting. What I find particularly confusing is that I can successfully back up from my boot drive, yet not from my slave drive, even though it is configured through Retrospect and has backed up successfully since then. Perhaps I should run the configuration again?

 

∆ Retrospect version 6.1.126

launched at 11/21/2006 12:07 PM

 

Running Custom Configuration tests on PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D at 11/21/2006 12:07 PM

11/21/2006 12:07:24 PM: Setup test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:07:24 PM: Default setup test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:07:24 PM: Drive type test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:07:24 PM: Drive initialization test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:08:15 PM: Disc information test: Successful

Testing CD-R media type

11/21/2006 12:08:15 PM: Write method 1 tests start

11/21/2006 12:09:06 PM: Write method 1 test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:10:11 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:10:29 PM: Append test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:10:55 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:10:55 PM: Write method 1 tests final result: Successful

11/21/2006 12:10:55 PM: Write method 2 tests start

11/21/2006 12:11:00 PM: Write method 2 tests final result: Failed

11/21/2006 12:11:00 PM: Write method 2 tests start

11/21/2006 12:13:29 PM: Write method 2 test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:14:33 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:14:52 PM: Append test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:15:23 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:15:24 PM: Write method 2 tests final result: Successful

CD-R media type is ready to be used with the drive

Testing DVD-R media type

11/21/2006 12:16:28 PM: Write method 1 tests start

11/21/2006 12:17:30 PM: Write method 1 test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:18:10 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:18:25 PM: Append test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:18:47 PM: Read test: Successful

11/21/2006 12:18:47 PM: Write method 1 tests final result: Successful

DVD-R media type is ready to be used with the drive

- This drive has been successfully configured to use CD-R, DVD-R media.

- 11/21/2006 12:30:44 PM: Write method 1 will be used

- 11/21/2006 12:30:45 PM: Custom Configuration tests: Successful

 

+ Executing Immediate Backup at 11/21/2006 12:31 PM

To backup set MacDataBackup01…

 

- 11/21/2006 12:31:31 PM: Copying McData…

11/21/2006 12:35:43 PM: Comparing McData…

11/21/2006 12:36:29 PM: Execution completed successfully.

Completed: 93 files, 163.3 MB

Performance: 100.9 MB/minute (66.1 copy, 212.9 compare)

Duration: 00:04:58 (00:01:44 idle/loading/preparing)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, what _I_ find particularly confusing is the entire thread. Random bits of information scattered throughout multiple posts does not lead to helpful online support.

 

> I can successfully back up from my boot drive, yet not from my slave drive, even though it is

> configured through Retrospect and has backed up successfully since then.

 

Sorry, but I can't make heads or tails out of this. Are you saying that when performing backups to a CD/DVD Backup Set the program behaves differently depending on the Source selected? You would have to describe your configuration thoroughly (what is a "slave drive" in this context) and include specific steps in order for this information to be more helpful then confusing. And I really have no idea what "it is configured through Retrospect" might possibly mean.

 

> Perhaps I should run the configuration again?

 

No. I suggested running the configuration only to confirm that the hardware can write to disks. Apparently it can, so in general you should not be using a custom configuration if the drive is supported by the program+RDU.

 

You need to take a step back and do a better job of describing what you're doing, and testing more methodically. The bit above stating that you can successfully back up from one Source but not another would suggest something other then the drive being an issue. But at this point, the information provided has been too contradictory for me to decipher it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave,

I am sorry that I was not more clear concerning the sequence of events that have led to this problem. I have been using Retrospect for backup to tape, hard drive, CD and DVD since the mid-1990s with nary a problem. With my current G4 setup I use DVDs to backup two sets, email and data. Email is stored on my boot drive (60G ATA). Data is stored on a separate internal hard drive (40G ATA). Since replacing my SuperDrive I have had two Retrospect backup sessions. In session #1, I successfully backed up Mail and Data. In session #2 I successfully backed up Mail but the Data backup failed as I have described earlier. Since that time, and after I initiated this post, My Data drive failed to appear in the Finder. I replaced the ribbon cable that routes from the controller first to the boot drive, then to the data drive and now all appears normal save that Retrospect exhibits the same behavior as before.

 

To recap, the issue began after I backed up Mail. I had eight DVDs in the Data backup set. Retrospect requested a new DVD to be numbered nine. The log shows 13 files were written (5.7K) when Retrospect requested another new DVD. Subsequent DVDs were not written with backup files.

 

I hope you find this chronology helpful.

 

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

To sum up:

 

All was fine with Retrospect and my G4 since installation.

 

Then Pioneer brand SuperDrive failed to be replaced with upgraded Pioneer SuperDrive.

 

Backed up from master drive successfully.

 

Backed up from slave drive successfully.

 

Subsequent backup session from slave drive unsuccessful as described in previous posts.

 

Slave drive disappears from Finder.

 

Slave drive reappears upon replacement of 80-wire ribbon cable.

 

Retrospect writes the "RetrospectCDinfo.txt" file to the DVD, but transfers no data.

 

So Retrospect is writing to the disc, but will not transfer data from the slave drive even though it does happily from the master drive. And it has transferred from the slave drive in the past. The only change to the system has been the new SuperDrive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If data from your ATA/Slave drive is behaving differently from data on your ATA/Master drive, then it sounds as if you have some sort of bus problem.

 

- What bus is the DVD drive on?

 

I'd moving the ATA/Slave to a different bus, such as an PCI based IDE controller. If backups work, then it would confirm a bus configuration issue. If backups continue to fail (while backups of other physical Sources continue to work) I'd become suspicious of the physical drive, and would focus further testing on that as being the cause of the problem.

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> I actually don't know how to move to a different bus.

 

Two pretty easy ways, although both entail new hardware.

 

- Purchase an inexpensive PCI host controller, that you insert into one of the open slots in your G4. Ribbon cable goes from this board to the drive. Jumpers adjusted as/if necessary.

 

- Purchase an external FireWire enclosure, and install the drive into this case. Connect to Macintosh with FireWire cable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Dave,

 

Thank you for your response. I have taken your advice and purchased an external FireWire HD. This solution works flawlessly. I have to wonder, though, why Retrospect CAN read from my slave drive and write to the external HD, yet it CANNOT read from the slave drive and write to DVDs.

 

Thanks again,

Randall

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...