Ref: 09020004
Title: Tandberg Tape Drives May Cause Backup Problems
date: 6/9/89

Copyright 3Com Corporation, 1991.  All rights reserved.

Recently, some Tandberg tape drives in 3Com dedicated servers
have caused problems during backup.  This article describes the
problems, lists which tape drives are at fault, and explains how
to have your tape unit upgraded if necessary.


DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEMS

Tandberg tape drives with 2X06 ROMS may show intermittent media
errors.

Tandberg tape drives using rev 20 controllers with rev 4.02 ROMs
may intermittently fail to append data in backup, or may continue
backups onto a second cartridge.

The problems may occur in any of these situations:

1.  On a full backup with append on the first tape.  (The tape
    already contains one good backup on it).

2.  On a full backup with append going to the second tape.  (The
    tape already contains one good backup on it).

3.  Using 60MB tapes with \120 command on the TAPE.SYS line in
    the CONFIG.SYS file.  Error occurs on a full backup with
    append going to the second tape.

These error messages show in the BACK_LOG.X file for all three
problems:

    Tape drive error; miscellaneous
    Unrecoverable error operation halted
    Tape drive error; drive fault
    Unable to write final tape block


HOW TO FIND REVISION LEVELS ON THE TAPE DRIVE

1.  PROM Revision Level

    The PROM rev level can be found two ways:

    a.  Check the back side of the tape unit in case it is
        already written there.

    b.  Turn off the server and take the top cover off.  Pull
        the tape out of the tape unit server.  From the front of
        the server looking to the left of the tape unit you will
        see the revision number 2X06 or 4.02 on the PROM chip.

        If you have difficulty seeing the PROM chip, use a
        flashlight to look through the holes in the top of the
        tape unit.

2.  Tape Controller Revision Level

    To read the rev level of the tape unit controller card, pull
    the tape unit out and turn it upside down.  The rev number
    will appear under the order number.

    Example:   order no 966001
               rev lev 17


UPGRADING YOUR TANDBERG TAPE DRIVE

1.  If you have a support contract, call 3Com Tech Support at 1-
    800-876-3COM.

2.  Confirm that your Tandberg tape unit has one of the following
    incorrect PROM-controller combinations:

        PROM rev 4.02 with controller at rev 20
        PROM rev 2X06 with controller below rev 20

    3Com Tech Support will issue a case number to authorize
    return of the unit.

3.  Call 3Com's RMA department to arrange for the upgrade.

    When 3Com's RMA department receives the tape unit the PROMs
    will be upgraded as follows:

    Units with 2X06 PROM with the controller below rev 20 will
        receive a 4.02 PROM.
    Units with 4.02 or 2X06 PROM with the controller at rev 20
        will receive a 6.0 PROM.
