4 Nov
1999
4 Nov
'99
12:27 p.m.
Ok I missed part of this thread but I'll stick my neck out and make a
couple of comments.
At 09:16 AM 11/4/99 -0600, you wrote:
I think the caveat is that it needs to be INITIALIZE'd before
use.
Yes, all tapes must be formatted before use in the HP drives. Even the
"pre-formatted" ones from HP. Why? Because not all the HP systems use the
same block size, number of directory entries, etc. The same applies to
their floppy and hard drives. When HP says "pre-formatted" they only mean
the low level formating, similar to what a low level format does on a disk
drive. In both cases, YOU still have to do the high level formatting.
Jeff
On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 09:49:48 -0500 (EST) John Ruschmeyer
<jruschme(a)hiway1.exit109.com> writes:
> >
> > John:
> >
> > Have you actually tried this?
>
> Back when we were using 9144's, we used to do it all the time.
>
> > The reason I'm asking is that on the Imation web site, they have a
>
> > compatibility chart, and the HP 9144 is listed as having 'NONE':
> >
> > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9134A NONE
What? A 9134 is a hard disk drive. It's a 9133 without the floppy drive.
> > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9142A, HP9144A/M
NONE
OK these two are different. The 9142 can format it's own tapes, at least
on some systems. Some systems don't have the format command. The 9144 is
very different from the 9142. It is a higher desity and reguires
"pre-formatted" tapes. These tapes all say "9144 compatible". If
they
don't that then they won't work. PERIOD! I've trying dozens of other tapes
and NONE of them worked.
> > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9145A
NONE
The 9145 is similar to a 9144 but uses 32 tracks instead of 16. It also
requires "pre-formatted" tapes. I suppose they say "9145 compatible"
but I
don't know because I've never seen one. I have four of these drives but
can't find tapes for them. They will read but not write to a 9144 tape.
The HP tapes were (are?) made by 3M. I suppose 3M or someone else may
make tapes for the 9144/9145 but if they do, I'm not aware of it.
For what It's Worth. HP also made tape/hard drive combination units.
The HP 7946 is one of them and is found frequently. I think the tape drives
in them are the same as the 9142. So they should be able to format and use
a standard tape. IF your system has the format command.
> >
> > Although IOTAMAT format tapes are listed elsewhere on the table
> at:
> >
> > http://www2.imation.com/dsp/cmptblty/dc_drv.html
> >
> > Could it be that Imation is hiding HP's 'dirty little secret'?
What "dirty little secret" ?
Joe