What is the proper way to backup an ENTIRE hdd?

FiveFlat · 12-08-2004, 11:14 PM

I would like to use my tape drive to do this. I have a 20GB HDD and a 24GB tape.
Does the following line make sense?

#tar cvf /dev/st0 /

if so i get an error that says it cannot write to tape. Maybe a bad tape possibly? I don't have another 24GB tape to try.

If not - what is the PROPER way to backup the ENTIRE drive?

bulliver · 12-09-2004, 12:36 AM

Command looks fine. Is the tape rewound? Is it writeable?

minrich · 12-09-2004, 03:46 AM

Is it mounted?

judge_neo · 12-09-2004, 04:08 AM

as root can you run:

mt -f /dev/st0 status

and post the output plz.