Seagate (Dell) STT2401 Tape Drive

dchurch24

Hi,

I recently bought this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&item=260025613092&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

from ebay and these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130021521181&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

For use in it, so that I can back up my photos (they're about the only thing that couldn't be replaced in a fire or something - I've just had a fire and flood, so am a bit paranoid these days ;-) )

The thing is, the tapes don't seem to 'click' into place. They fit the drive, but the backup software says there is no media in the tape drive.

Are they the correct tapes?

If so, what am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance,

dchurch24.

albertross_2

Don't know the answer to your question I'm afraid, but could I suggest using a DVD writer, they are a cheaper method of backup nowadays, especially when you take the price of tapes into account VS the cost of a blank dvd.

Chippy_Minton

Yes, they are the correct tapes - Travan.

Check the tape drive can be seen in Device Manager. Try updating drivers, enable/disable, let Windows detect new hardware, run Add Hardware Wizard etc.

As Albertross says, you'd be better off with DVDs. Faster access and cheaper.

dchurch24

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

The thing is though, I want it to update the backup set over night and completely automated. I got two tapes so that I could take one off site (to work) every day and still leave one in the drive.

I also have records in a database that are continuously growing that need backing up every day, so I figured the tape drive way would take the least intervention from myself, plus they are 40gb when compressed - I have about 25gb of pictures (10 megapixel camera) - so it would take quite some time every evening incrementally backing that lot up to dvd ;-)

The drive is recognised in device manager (I had to use a seperate IDE channel, or windows saw it as a CD drive??!!, but it's all recognised fine now).

The thing is the tapes don't seem to 'click' or anything when I put them in the drive. They just sort of hang there in place, although they seem to fit.

?

dchurch24

I'm using MS Backup.

I think they are the wrong tapes to be honest. They just don't click into the drive, they just sit in the drive (quite snuggly, so it looks like they are the right size), but you can just pull them in and out with no resistance.

dchurch24

...or maybe the drive is just broken. It did come from ebay after all.

Alfie_E

My first reaction was also that the drive could be broken. However, I did have another thought. Are you pushing the tape in hard enough? I haven’t used a Travan tape in quite a while now, but I recall needing to give them a fair push at the end, to get them to lock in.

Whatever other people have said, I think you’ve chosen a good device for your backups. External hard disks aren’t as resilient, because they have the delicate head mechanism in the box. DVDs can get scratched, unless you have the expensive ones with the coating that’s being used for Blu-ray. Also, recorded DVDs can have very high error rates on them. The error correction mechanisms can mask the fact that a DVD is currently only just readable, and could fail in a short period of time.

(If you have the money, I rate the Iomega REV system, but you seem to have got a much more cost effective solution from eBay.)

DrBenway

dchurch24 wrote:

...or maybe the drive is just broken. It did come from ebay after all.

Travan (upto tr4 at least - 10/20GB) tape drives are driven by a rubber band.

Honest !!

When you insert the tape they do have a small "click" or jar into place. You should then here some whirring noise as the tape is prepared. If you get the small click but not the whirring then the rubber band has come off or there is no power to the drive. Check the band!

A_Nice_Englishman

I don't think I'd entrust my irreplacable photos to a second hand, obsolete tape drive. What if it broke and you couldn't fix it or find another working one?

You spent £42.87 on this drive and tapes. Are your photos worth more than that to you? If so spend a bit more on one of the solutions suggested above

dchurch24

I do have them backed up to DVD as well, but it's not just the photos - I have an incremental database that needs to be backed up nightly.

It's just not feasable to sit there every day and burn lots of DVDs.

I do have two tapes - and the Travan drives are available all over the place should I have another fire or some such disaster.

There is no click when I put the tape in at all - it just sort of hangs there.

Is the band in the tape drive itself?

I think the drive is !!!!!!ed. I'll buy a 100/200gb one I think.

DrBenway

dchurch24 wrote:

There is no click when I put the tape in at all - it just sort of hangs there.

Is the band in the tape drive itself?

I think the drive is !!!!!!ed. I'll buy a 100/200gb one I think.

They do hang out of the drive when inserted correctly. But you should feel it go home.

I've only had experience upto travan 4 drives but the band was always at the top of the drive and visible without removing any covers etc...

Check this link and type in travan on the left search button.