Need some Computer help.

[Ishmael]

I have to recover some data from a QIC format tape cartridge. The Cartrige is a Travan TR - 3 cartridge originally recodered on a H-P Colorado T3000 tape drive.That particular tape drive is no longer available and I've been unable to locate someone locally that is still has one of the units. I even have the backup/restore software that was used to create the tapes.

Anyone out there know of anyone that may still have one of these tape drives?

Ishmael

 

[lobito]

yup, but since you've always been an asshole to me, and others I know, I can't say that I'm willing to help you on this one...

 

[Phoenyx]

my cats breath smells like cat fod

 

[Ishmael]

yup, but since you've always been an asshole to me, and others I know, I can't say that I'm willing to help you on this one...

Then why bother to answer?

Ishmael

 

[The Heretic]

Ish, you may or may not be able to read the tape on a different QIC drive. IIRC, QIC was not just a form factor, but was also something of a format standard. I could be wrong though, it has been over a decade since I played with these.

I would ask around with various server admin people to see if they have a QIC drive that might read it. I would also maybe check various old iron places such as large companies who might have such drives in their recycle bins.

I know this doesn't help you now, but in general it is a good idea to move data on such media over as soon as you adopt new media, rather than waiting until you might need it 20 years in the future and not be able to access it.

 

[Spinaroonie]

Install Linux, problem solved.

 

[Thrillhouse]

Step one: Build a time machine.

I'll tell you the rest of the steps after you finish #1.

 

[Ishmael]

Ish, you may or may not be able to read the tape on a different QIC drive. IIRC, QIC was not just a form factor, but was also something of a format standard. I could be wrong though, it has been over a decade since I played with these.

I would ask around with various server admin people to see if they have a QIC drive that might read it. I would also maybe check various old iron places such as large companies who might have such drives in their recycle bins.

I know this doesn't help you now, but in general it is a good idea to move data on such media over as soon as you adopt new media, rather than waiting until you might need it 20 years in the future and not be able to access it.

QIC was actually a command set and interface standard. So most QIC drives are compatible in that respect. But the cartridges are a whole different ball game. In theory, any drive that is compatible with the TR-3 cartridge and understands the QIC command set would work.

The person I'm trying to help out did a big no-no when they changed their business machines. Instead of transfering the data over immediately to the new back up media, they took a "when I get around to it" approach. Never got around to it. In the meantime, they 'offed' the machine with the tape drive.

Ishmael

 

[The Heretic]

Actually Spin had a good suggestion; you may be able to find someone with some Unix variation that has a compatible tape drive.

 

[tulip2lipservice]

Wow Ish you are asking

for computer help. I am dumbfounded. Did you try Ebay? It might be a silly suggestion but you never know. Stranger things have happened.

Peace,
Tulip

 

[Carp]

Re: Wow Ish you are asking

for computer help. I am dumbfounded. Did you try Ebay? It might be a silly suggestion but you never know. Stranger things have happened.

Peace,
Tulip

Oooh. That was such a cool suggestion, I went and looked, and there is one- 14.95.

 

[The Heretic]

http://www.eqtek.com/

$50

 

[tulip2lipservice]

Re: Re: Wow Ish you are asking

Oooh. That was such a cool suggestion, I went and looked, and there is one- 14.95.

Really???? *suprised but happy* Thank you Carp for letting me know. It is not every day that Ishmael asks a question about computers.

Peace,
Tulip

 

[Ishmael]

Actually Spin had a good suggestion; you may be able to find someone with some Unix variation that has a compatible tape drive.

If I could find the hardware, I don't care what the OS is. I think the old RS-6000 machines from IBM required the tape drives as part of the hardware package. The big issue there would be the compatibility of the decompression software. And the fact that IBM used a "wide SCSI" interface for that machine I believe.

I haven't seen a QIC type drive in 5 years. Almost everyone has gone to R/W CD's. And therein lies the problem.

The guy I'm trying to help would even buy a used T3000 unit if he could source one. Probably all part of an artificial reef by now.

Ishmael

 

[Ishmael]

Thanks TSG and Tulip. Might have the problem solved now.

Ishmael