MagTape command - Future project

[Hodgkinson]

Hi folks,
I have a Wangtek 5150EQ SCSI Tape drive. Im wondering how difficult it might be to get such a drive to work on a A1200 system with a (As yet imaginary) 1230IV SCSI kit; and just how compatible the magtape command is in the OS. I see that the magtape command is for SCSI drives, so I guess that it would probably work without any special drivers?

I've got an oppertunity at the moment to be able to obtain a pile of tapes for the drive.

Comments appreciated,
Hodgkinson.

[AMC258]

What do you want to do with it?

I have used Diavolo on numerous tape drives over the years, but that's about all.

[Hodgkinson]

The main idea was for storing file backups on in the same way as a standard drive.

Can the system read/write to magtapes, or does the magtape command just cater for positioning the tape?

[AMC258]

I've used it for positioning tape.  I don't know if it reads/writes, but I would doubt it.  But, really, Diavolo is the way to go here.

[Tahoe]

The Wangtek really is a dinosaur, while magtape might work on it it will be really slow.

If you want any performance you really should look out for a nice DDS4 (DAT) tape drive. They are pretty cheap to come by nowadays, and offer a LOT more performance, even in an Amiga!

The ONE thing that makes the wangtek really interesting is that it's one of the very few drives compatible with Amiga Unix.

[mark_k]

Hi,

Are you sure your drive is SCSI? I thought the 5150ES was SCSI, but the EQ model uses some kind of proprietary interface (QIC-02???). If that's the case there's probably little chance of getting it to work.

-- M

[Hodgkinson]

mark_k:
Oh. I *guessed* that it might be SCSI since the ISA adaptor board connected to the drive has an external SCSI connector, and also since the cable going to the drive itself is a 50 pin flat lead - Albeit it does end with a edge connector :crazy:

If you could verify this information it would be appreciated; before I start blowing up SCSI interfaces one day...

Everyone else:
Yeah, it is a dinosaur...Its huge. And the tapes are huge, too. But it’s the only tape drive that we have (One) tape for. How common are SCSI tape drives these days? And would I have to purchase Diavolo from somewhere to get them to work?

Thanks,
Hodgkinson.

[bigmac]

Hi! scsi tape drives are easily availible on Ebay, any of the DDS variety e.g. sony seagate etc work well using drivers from Aminet and backup software like Quarterback v6/7 The drives are very cheap usually between $10.00 to $50.00 I,ve allways found tape backup very usefull and reliable and beats the hell out of using floppy disks.

[Rabbi]

The MAGTAPE command on p.6-55 of the Amiga OS DOS book states that this command "retensions, rewinds, or skips forward SCSI tapes.".  By default, the MAGTAPE command uses SCSI device unit 4.

If you want more flexibility than this, consider obtaining the "TapeWormFS" file system that turns your tape drive into an AmigaDOS volume.  There are updates to this file system on Aminet.  I've got it, plus 2 Amiga 3070 SCSI tape drives, one with a fan that no longer works & needs replacing.

I've got the 3070 Installation guide booklet that describes how to change the SCSI unit on the DIP switch.

The unit is actually a Caliper CP150, electronically speaking, with them slapping Commodore's name on it.

Hope this info helps you.

[Hodgkinson]

In a world without walls and fences, who needs Windows and Gates? :lol: :laughing:

Anyway, back to the point. I've just been and digged out our other SCSI tape drive, also aquired from a clearout and of unknown condition. Unfortunatly, I don't have any tapes for this particular drive - Its a Seagate STD224000N - How does that sound for Amiga use?

It appears to support 60-m (DDS-DC) MP tape; 90-m (DDS-DC) MP tape; 120-m (DDS-2) MP+ tape; and 125-m (DDS-3) MP++ tape

Are these any more common than the DC 6150 tapes used in the Wangtek drive?

Thanks,
Hodgkinson.