Tape dumping, bad blocks. - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

3 May 2002

...
  From: Raymond Moyers &lt;rmoyers(a)nop.org&gt;
 To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
 Subject: Re: Tape dumping, bad blocks.
 Date: Fri, 3 May 2002 01:01:59 -0500
 In-Reply-To: &lt;200205030508.BAA32513(a)conman.org&gt;

  Funny, on the 9 track tape you dont confront this issue.
  9 track tape is 8 bits + parity right ?   so here a bad bit dont
  cause you to lose the ability to get the next byte and know
  that its a valid byte,  a physical superiority it has over the
  serial streamers ?.

  Or am i assuming too much again. 
I think you are assuming that there will never be a dropout over the
complete width of the tape.  i.e. there will always be at least one
"1" bit passing the read head.  Data clocking is essentially done
on the inclusive OR of all channels, so if they all drop out, you
have lost your place.

    carl
-- 
        carl lowenstein   marine physical lab   u.c. san diego
                                          clowenstein(a)ucsd.edu