Tape Device question

Destrey · 01-31-2008, 01:33 AM

Hi, I have a machine running SME server 7.2. whch has a tape drive but I currently have no tapes ;-( Is there anyway in Linux that I can check if the tape drive is functioning before I go and buy some tapes?
Ta,
Destrey

Disillusionist · 01-31-2008, 02:20 AM

You could try using mt command and see if the tape drive kicks in, although this would only really test that Linux was seeing the device and would not gaurantee that the read/write heads were in working order.

I'm afraid the only real test would be to buy a tape and run some reading and writing tests.

I don't suppose you know anyone with the same hardware that would lend you a blank / scratch media to test with?

Destrey · 01-31-2008, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the reply. I will have a snoop around and see if I can find a willing donor :-)