I need to read data and restore files from some DDS-4 tapes that were created using a windows operating system. I do not know what software was used for the backups, but I was able to read the file and folder list using a windows trial software, but could not save them without purchasing the software.

on my Linux machine (Ubuntu 8.04) The SCSI tape (ARCHIVE PYTHON with a DELL brand sticker) drive seems to be working, I can get status info and rewind using mt. I am fairly new to Linux, but from what I can see in the documentation, it looks like the dd command may be useful. I read awsomemachine's post on the dd command, but it does not address streaming devices.

any help would be appreciated.

The "dd" command just reads data from an input source, and puts it somewhere else. The device can be a block or streaming device. However, that won't do any good if the data you READ is in some sort of proprietary format. You'll just wind up with a useless file, instead of a useless tape. Does the software give you any indication as to what format it's saved in?

The dd command also can manipulate block sizes, etc., This page http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/rhel-ce...ape-blocksize/ can give you some pointers as to how to find/set the block sizes, and some dd syntax stuff to help you out. Also you may want to check out the tcopy utility (perhaps available here http://ostatic.com/tcopy-linux), or it may be available for your distro somewhere....

I know it's a crappy suggestion, but you may just have to bite the bullet, and spring for the software. After you've read what you need, you can use Linux going forward, and not have to shell out $$$ for what you need.