Numerous tape errors reported

[cpragman]

I'm trying to pin down whether the numerous tape errors reported below are "normal" expected behavior for Retrospect, or whether they suggest a hardware problem with the tape drive. I have already tried using a fresh tape, but no change in the kinds/number of errors.

 

Computer Information: Mac Pro (Mac Pro 4,1) 2.66 GHz, 3GB ram

OS Information: Apple Snow Leopard 10.6.2.

 

SCSI Host adapter: ATTO Express PCI UL5D

SCSI driver version: 4.4.1 (latest)

SCSI card firmware version: April 10, 2009 (latest)

 

Tape Drive model reported in software: TS400

Tape drive firmware version reported in software: 0412

 

Retrospect 8.1 with Driver update.

 

Log details below:

 

!Generated MD5 digest for file "" does not match stored MD5 digest.

Additional error information for device "Tandberg Ultrium 2 DC" [0:3],

Sense > 70 00 03 00 00 00 00 0e 00 00 00 00 11 00 00 00 00 00

(TANDBERG|TS400 |0412)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x33003500 at 259250688)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x78000000 at 259250816)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x43e00dc1 at 259250881)

>

!Generated MD5 digest for file "" does not match stored MD5 digest.

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x52dbffff at 259251008)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x92b09cc7 at 259251137)

>

!Generated MD5 digest for file "" does not match stored MD5 digest.

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259265536)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259265664)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259265728)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259265856)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259265984)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x0b003700 at 259300300)

>

!Generated MD5 digest for file "/Library/Application Support/Retrospect/RtrExec.dir/Exec-2/State/RetroSnp.dat" does not match stored MD5 digest.

>

!Trouble reading: "2-FFAS Offsite Backups" (1103569), error 0 ( unknown)

>

!Trouble reading: "2-FFAS Offsite Backups" (1103569), error 0 ( unknown)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259355392)

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259355456)

Additional error information for device "Tandberg Ultrium 2 DC" [0:3],

Sense > 70 00 03 00 00 00 00 0e 00 00 00 00 11 00 00 00 00 00

(TANDBERG|TS400 |0412)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x9d95ffff at 259373057)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0xd8000000 at 259373122)

>

!Generated MD5 digest for file "/Library/Application Support/Retrospect/RtrExec.dir/Exec-2/State/RetroSnp.dat" does not match stored MD5 digest.

>

!Media Set format inconsistency (4 at 259473152)

>

!Bad Media Set header found (0x4ff2acde at 259490816)

>

!Generated MD5 digest for file "Macintosh HD/Users/mblechner/.Trash/DPP App 2010.pdf" does not match stored MD5 digest.

>

!Trouble reading: "2-FFAS Offsite Backups" (1107317), error 0 ( unknown)

[rhwalker]

Well, I'd suggest trying to run diagnostics on the drive.

 

The standard Tandberg/Exabyte diagnostic is here:

Tandberg/Exabyte ltotool diagnostic

 

and there seems to be a more recent "tdtool 1.0" diagnostic for LTO drives here on the Tandberg web site:

Tandberg tdtool 1.0 diagnostic

 

No, these errors are not normal. However, it's not clear whether they are caused by a Retrospect issue or the drive. Again, I suggest running diagnostics.

 

Russ

[cpragman]

Thanks for the tip about the TDTool utility. Wasn't able to find that before on Tandberg's website.

 

Tried installing both the command line and GUI versions of the tool. Both of them see the drive, but both utilities say the drive is not supported, so I'm unable to use them to get diagnostic codes, run read/write tests, or flash the firmware.

 

Any other suggestions?

[rhwalker]

Tried installing both the command line and GUI versions of the tool. Both of them see the drive, but both utilities say the drive is not supported, so I'm unable to use them to get diagnostic codes, run read/write tests, or flash the firmware.

I tried looking for your drive, and couldn't find it. You may need to get another drive.

 

Any other suggestions?

Only three.

 

(1) Wait for the Retrospect big bugfix update (expected "real soon, now"), see if that solves your problem. If it doesn't, you've got hardware problems.

 

(2) Try another tape drive. If this one is still in warranty, get an RMA unit from Tandberg. If not, get another tape drive. It really sounds like this drive is having problems.

 

(3) Try this drive on a different computer, with a different cable.

 

If you are able to borrow / buy another tape drive, that would help narrow down the problem. Otherwise, you seem to be doing all the right things.

 

Did this drive ever work with this configuration?

 

Russ