autochanger buttons disappear if server rebooted with tape in drive

[tlemons]

Retrospect Backup Single Server v6.5.336

Sony TSL-A300C autochanger, firmware L202

Adapter AHA-294x

 

If I restart my operating system (and, therefore, Retrospect) while a tape is loaded into the tape drive of the TSL-A300C, Retrospect will not display the slots or activate the autochanger buttons in the Devices window. But, if I power off the backup server, power on the backup server and boot the operating system, Retrospect is now able to display the autochanger slots and the autochanger buttons are now active.

 

Is this an autochanger or Retrospect flaw?

 

Please let me know what other information I can provide, and what tests I can try. I have the Sony autochanger utility loaded on the backup server, it use of it would be helpful.

 

Thanks

tl

[natew]

Hi

 

Make sure the windows drivers for the changer and tape drive are disabled.

 

Try holding down the shift key and clicking on the eject all button in the Retrospect configure ->devices window. Does Retrospect see the loader properly after that?

 

Thanks

Nate

[tlemons]

Hi Nate

 

Thanks for the reply. In Control Panel -> Tape Devices -> Devices, I see:

 

SONY TSL-A300C [Driver not loaded].

 

In Control Panel -> SCSI Adapters, the Adaptec adapter to which the autochanger is connected show one tape drive (mentioned above) and another device of Device Type [uNKNOWN], whose Device Map: is "[Not available because driver not loaded]". So, I believe this means that drivers are not loaded for the autochanger or the tape driver.

 

I held down the Shift key, and clicked on the eject all button; nothing happened.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

tl

[natew]

Hi

 

Sounds like windows NT?

Have you tried installing ASPI using the ASPIINST executible in the Retrospect folder?

 

Are you using a 50 pin card with a 68 pin device? That may be causing some minor communication problems.

 

Thanks

Nate

[tlemons]

Retrospect Backup Single Server v6.5.336

Retrospect Driver Update, version 4.7.103

Sony TSL-A300C autochanger, firmware L202

Adapter AHA-294x

 

I installed Adaptec ASP 4.60 (according to aspichk). This seemed to be working, in that I was able to complete backups (but I was able to complete backups before).

 

Now, after another power event, when I bring up Retrospect and click on 'Devices', I see:

 

Sony AIT DC Library

Sony AIT DC Hardware error

 

I also have installed on this system Sony Tape Utility 3.7. While Retrospect reports this hardware error, Sony Tape Utility is able to read the device status of the library (in that, in the Select Drive screen I see the SCSI target/LUN and device ID ("SONY TSL-A300C L202") information). Also, in the Device Tests area, the Connection Check (which is "a basic test that confirms that the workstation or server is communicating with the tape drive") completes normally.

 

So, it appears that Retrospect is not handling some event properly. Are there any patches I should be using? Are there any tests I can run to provide additional information?

 

Thanks

tl

[natew]

Hi

 

It sounds like ASPI did not make a difference in this case? If so it is probably best to go back to NT passthrough. You can do this by typing CTRL + ALT + P + P at any Retrospect screen. Under the Execution heading click on the use NT Passthrough button and then relaunch Retrospect.

 

Since everything works otherwise I suspect a flaky cable, terminator or SCSI driver. Personally I would go to a different SCSI adapter if finacially possible. Otherwise I would give all the connections a good wiggle and extra push in making sure the cable is not kinked or bent too much.

 

Nate