(Answer) (Category) NetMAXFAQ : (Category) Backup / Restore :
My Tape Backups are failing, what can I try?
Applies to: NetMAX 2.x - 4.0x
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You can run some commands to see if the tape drive is functioning:

You can use these commands to rewind, tar to, rewind, and tar from the tape (logged in as root):

/usr/netmax/bin/mt -f /dev/st0 rewind
tar -cvf /dev/st0 /etc/services
/usr/netmax/bin/mt -f /dev/st0 rewind
tar -tvf /dev/st0

If your tape drive is functioning from the command line, then NetMAX should have no problem accessing it as well.

The only difference between these commands and what NetMAX does, is that NetMAX will also run some commands to position the tape.

If you are using a brand new tape, with nothing on it, then you will need to check the box that says "Start at beginning of tape".

If you don't do that, and you have a blank tape, then NetMAX will fail at positioning the tape (going to the end of data on the tape and then backing up two).

If your tape drive does not support the repositioning commands:

/usr/netmax/bin/mt -f /dev/st0 rewind
/usr/netmax/bin/mt -f /dev/st0 eod
/usr/netmax/bin/mt -f /dev/st0 bsf 2

Then you will always want the check box checked.
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