Attempting Imaging of Tape Data

[Peterc]

Greetings Gurus,

I am attempting to Image tape media to search for files. There is data on the tape, but sector examination reports errors. In DD, tape drive reports I/O errors and says something like media too big. Drive shows up as sdb, but does not go to ready.

Any peculiarities with imaging tape data? Drive is STT3401A Quantum, using write blocker as well.

Thanks for your considerations.

[BlackST]

As the tape drive is TRAVAN format, you can either try something to get the RAW blocks out of the tape, but if media is not correctly identified, it is tough. You have to know the low level commands for tape operation of the specific drive.
Are you sure the drive itself is working correctly ?

[Daisy Woo]

try http://www.datarecoveryengineer.com - tape imaging software ..

The demo version will let you read part of the tape.

[Daisy Woo]

The write blocker may also be causing problems. It is better to set the physical tape write protect tab rather than write blocking the drive. Commands that need to make settings to the drive to match those of the tape will be blocked.

Tapes require writing enabled as settings need to be set according to the tape.

If you look at the Windows API it will give you some insight as to what is needed.

SetTapeParaeters http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362534(VS.85).aspx
TAPE_GET_MEDIA_PARAMETERS http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362564(VS.85).aspx

[Daisy Woo]

OOOPS!

The write blocker may also be causing problems. It is better to set the physical tape write protect tab rather than write blocking the drive. Commands that need to make settings to the drive to match those of the tape will be blocked.

### Tape Drives #### require writing enabled as settings need to be set according to the tape.

If you look at the Windows API it will give you some insight as to what is needed.

SetTapeParaeters http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362534(VS.85).aspx
TAPE_GET_MEDIA_PARAMETERS http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa362564(VS.85).aspx

[Doomer]

It is possible you drive cannot read the tape because it doesn' support such tape format

[Peterc]

Thank you all for your advice.
The drive is what the customer's drive and went with the tapes.
I am not sure the drive was working properly, but the customer was backing up their data as of 12/10 and their RAID failed on 12/11. My assumption is the drive is working properly. No one knows that software was used for backup because the IT person just left or was fired.
I tried w/o the writeblocker and no luck.
Thanks for the suggestion Daisy about the software, but by the time I got to read your suggestion, the customer wanted the tape restored.
Thank you all once again for your help.

[BlackST]

What cartridges are in use? Brand/model. Btw, have you tried the drive with a blank tape to identify, erase, etc.?

[Peterc]

BlackST- thanks for your suggestions, however I have already sent the tape off to be recovered. I will keep that suggestion in mind for the next tape media I get.