Re: Back up questions

[Jim Essinger <esinger@xxxxxxxx>]

I know this discussion was a few days back, but ...

I have initialized every tape I have used in the last 16 years here 
(granted the tape drives have come and gone) with a 2 week rotation of 
tapes, and monthly and quarterly archive of tapes, with weekly sets going 
off site.

I have *NEVER* had a tape break on me.  Not the 1/2" reel, not the 1/2" 
cartridge (3590E) not the 1/4" cartridge, and not the 3570.

I have had poor quality tapes go bad, but not usually in the header area.


FWIW

Jim


At 01:20 PM 4/3/2003 -0600, you wrote:
> An old time IBM'er once told me that the INZTAP command did an extra erasure
> function prior to writing the label info, plus there is some extra
> tensioning that takes place. I've had more than a couple of tapes break on
> me at client sites where I've walked in behind this one particular software
> company's "system setup expert". One of the first things I do for these
> clients is to throw out the software company's backup routine and to set the
> client up with a backup utility that really works. Sorta helps to follow the
> rules in the chart about backing up the right stuff. :-))
>
> The IBM'er in question is now retired, but considering I once watched him
> manufacture a jumper for a S/38 circuit board from a paper clip, I pretty
> much have followed his "gospel rules".
>
> Paul Nelson

<Snip>



> > Paul,
> >
> > Why does an INZTAP weaken the tape more than writing a backup to it?
> >
> > Rob Berendt
> > --

<Snip>

> >
> > Also, do NOT reinitialize the tape every day. This will weaken the first X
> > inches of your tape (been there, done that).

< Snip>

> >
> > Paul Nelson