N64 + 64DD TapeDrives pre-release Software (DDS Tapes) [need help]

I do have a DSS1 compatible reader, This is one thing I have now,
now I need a scsi cable, scsi card, motherboard that supports scsi and IDE, and an HDD with windows 98 on it some ram and a CD reader for the OS... Members here helped me with what I need so Thanks all of you,

I think this is something I have to do it myself unless someone wants me around at your location due the fact that I won`t send the tapes anywhere

But maybe of Kammedo have those dumps somewhere, there is no need to purchase this hardware.

 

it would be indeed better to do this first on your own in a first place.

It is going to be a bit of a challenge but it can be really thrilling when success occurs

 

I moved your thread to the dumping and backup section.

As i spoke to you before, buy a cheap pentium 2 system or board setup. You can find it cheap on ebay (25€) Than you need any kind of adaptec scsi II controller with cable. I can help you out with software and installing anything.

Like this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/ASUS-P4GE-VM...05?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item4d346c52c9

for this you need only the controller, a PSU and a Harddrive. If he dont ship to you i can also asist.

 

So what happened to these tapes? Were you able to read them? If so, did they contain any interesting/rare stuff?

 

The side of the tape on the left of the last image reads "isv 970924." I looked up the definition for ISV and found "An ISV (independent software vendor) makes and sells software products that run on one or more computer hardware or operating system platforms" from http://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/definition/ISV
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Solid picture of the 2 tapes in the last image, for some reason the image does the "3M" on the front line vinyl's tapes do.

http://www.recycledgoods.com/media/...ine/15/c/imation-4mm-data-tape-dds-60-2c5.jpg
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7th legion - was in development on the 64DD on March 3, 1997 (the date on the cart in the upper left of the first image) according to the IGN article below

http://ign.com/articles/1997/03/21/epic-and-dma-go-to-64dd-again

other info about this cancelled N64 game

http://www.nesworld.com/n64-unr-7thlegion.php

http://ign.com/games/7th-legion/n64-1904

https://web.archive.org/web/20150910013211/http://www.ign.com/games/7th-legion/n64-1904

https://web.archive.org/web/20120914081333/http://www.ign.com/games/7th-legion/n64-1904
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On the "RCP1 ONLY" cart, "NU64" stands for Nintendo Ultra 64, and the "Library Files and Debugger" is probably an early version of the software called "N64 Library Files and Debugger," which was used to create a program used for Nintendo 64 game development. Developers had to indicate which version of this software was used before submitting their game-

http://n64devkit.square7.ch/tools/kmc/n64nw_facts.htm

The version on the upper-left tape in the first picture, Version H, did not support osWriteHost, (wrote data to the host) from the N64 Function List

http://level42.ca/projects/ultra64/Documentation/man/kantan/appendices/a.html)
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The upper left tape in the first image reads "Date:3/20/97." At this time, Zelda 64 was still being developed on the 64DD and Child Link had not yet been implemented into the game. Source: Nintendo Power issue 94 (March of '97)

 

Going by Kammedo's responses, I'm assuming any "software" referred to on these things isn't talking about game software but rather dev related software.

 

I am sorry for the very late response and updates for this topic
No, I did not figured out what was on the tapes, I really appreciate users that are helping me So far I don`t have the time/funds to buy all things to read the tapes and I don`t even know if it has a 100% success rate, Maybe the tapes are encrypted, empty or broken.

I posted this before but sending this to someone is not an option, I had horrible experience with the shipping and it was even marked as LOST, after 30 days of complaining and even claimed 100% of the money back. they "suddenly" found it and I got it a few days later.

Thanks Zant for the info i`m going to look at that.

I actually gave up on it but the bumps made me want to start again.

 

Don't give up vinyl. If there is something important on those tapes, you will be so glad that you kept them. Maybe this is one of our last chances to find out more about the 64DD. I realized that looking for good prices on eBay might not be the most efficient way to go about this since the price will still be hefty, and especially if you could find someone with the right set up nearby. I am going to paste my other notes below, this is everything that is needed, right?
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6 DDS/DAT tapes with dev/Prelease/debugger data, there are DDS-1 tapes

read+take out the data of these tapes, maybe it's important but could be empty
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There is no backup software
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PC is a SFF model, doesn't have the right connection to read that SCSI card, has no equipment to install new hardware

already has a DDS-1 compatible reader

NEED

- maybe a cheap pentium 2 system or board setup, cheap on ebay. Then you need any kind of adaptec scsi II controller with cable. Really only the controller, a PSU and a hard drive is needed. This is according to Jackhead

- scsi cable, scsi card, motherboard that supports scsi and IDE, an HDD with windows 98 on it, with RAM, and a CD reader for the OS.

- win98 PC(no virtual pc cause of drivers), SCSI card, SCSI cable, tape reader (which I have but looking for a driver) and the right software to read the tapes

- reader for it with USB, easy USB drive, Paralel is fine

- stepdown converter

- right cable to a SCSI reader (50 pins) and to enter a FAT pc.

- probably a floppy drive to read the drivers (usb won't do)

- CD drive of course where the OS itself is put and the driver cd of the disk reader

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eBay

win98 PC
http://ebay.com/itm/181985720531

http://ebay.com/itm/Windows-98-Retr...tate-No-Moving-Parts-/231804400869?nav=SEARCH

the right software to read the tapes

http://ebay.com/itm/Sony-SDT-10000-...rnal-Beige-3-5-Bezel-/262227524406?nav=SEARCH

 

Vinyl, you say you have a DDS1 tape drive, what is the model and manufacturer?

I think reading these tapes should really be rather trivial, I'm not sure the way they're written to really differs between software suites.

I used to work at a shop that refurbished a lot of tape drives and libraries and I got just about every one of them to work with Win2k and Win2k3. I believe many even have Win2k8 and XP drivers. You can also likely use the native windows backup service to read the tapes. If you can get it up in Windows you should test backup and restoration with a blank DDS1 tape so you get an idea of how it works.

In my experience, which by those years was mostly with DDS4 and DAT72, these DDS drives and tapes were far less prone to issues than the earlier larger ones like LTO and SDLTs so I wouldn't be too concerned about ruining anything. Using a true DDS1 drive may prove more riskier than picking up a newer one like Zant suggested with compatibility for older DDS formats but as long as your DDS drive isn't in terrible condition and overly dusty i'd suspect it should be able to read them.

I know Sony definitely has Win2k8 and XP drivers for the SDT line of Sony DDS tape drives that Zant linked.

We almost always used Adaptec 29160 SCSI cards which should be relatively cheap to come by in working condition. Depending on whether its an external or internal SCSI drive you may need a 50pin internal or external SCSI cable. External drives would frequently require a 50pin terminator as well.

The files could be encrypted but I doubt it.

EDIT: If the PC you have is SFF there are actually Low Profile versions of the 29160 (known as the 29160LP), but it would still need an available PCI slot.

 

Thank you Jackhead, Zant and Pixelperfect for the amazing support and information this is truly an amazing step forward to reading this This makes me go for it again.

the model and manufacturer of the tapes are writing on the first pictures of the Opening Post. (right?)

I try to find more time to get after the stuff. this is getting me more and more exited

 

I'm thinking Linux as it states tar format on the yellow sticky note.
Also buy a blank same size cartridge to do a test read/write with the drive you're planning on using.
You don't want to stick one of these tapes in the drive without testing the drive first.

You could probably find an old dell server with a DDS drive in it for free from the late 90's and install a flavor of nix on it.

 

I dont have a tape reader but I have a variety of SCSI cables and some EISA SCSI cards,Adaptec - AHA-2930CU PCI and a Sun Microsystems external drive housing.

Are you in need of anything?

 

The software on the one with the yellow sticky note says it for IRIX so its for use on a SGI workstation and if you want to source some old PCs and you live in a fairly large area check e-waste recycling centers.

 

did you manage to get ahold of a tape drive?

 

I too am curious about this best of luck!

 

Thanks for the support and the bump
At this moment i`m currently working on my website and a job and soon holiday.. I am sorry I really don`t have time to figure this out and assemble my own machine that might (not) work. I just need to have luck that someone near has a system already set up. I`m going to place an add on my local 'ebay' if someone have a system setup like that
I`ll keep ya posted.

 

I have an old Pentium era machine that I restored as well as machines much older. I actually hang around in an IRC chat room for old vintage computers so if you ever need advice I could help and I am sure many others on this site may also have experience with Vintage computing to help you find a way to extract the data of those data backup tapes. Take your time when your ready let us know!

Edit:
Oh and by the way Ebay prices for vintage computers and hardware especially complete systems are a bit over priced sometimes IMO but sometimes you can get a good deal. Better to find people in the hobby to buy from or forums as they generally sell at a lower price. Not 270 USD plus 70 in shipping for a complete Pentium 2 computer or w/e the ridiculous prices are these days. Heck even try keeping an eye out at thrift shops. I got my Pentium compatible machine at one for 8 bucks.

 

Wouldn't it be best to dump it with an Indy computer?

 

You'd still need the drive plus the drivers for indy.

 

Course, but it shouldn't be that hard.