It's small, portable and the software is straight forward. Plugged it in and it played, just as it should. It does not appear as a drive in Explorer however, and the philosophy of the medium is unsual to those of us who are used to hard disks, or optical disks. The serial nature of the drive imposes limitations regarding random access and the ability to backup files from multiple sources per se. The best it can do for you is to create a virtual SubVolume (ie folder) , which means that any files u have to backup, u ll have to drag into that folder. On the bright side, you can resume your backups by using multiple disks if 20GB aren't enough. it offers a replacing function for files that are already existing on a tape, but I haven't been able to locate a resume function for resuming a backup and performing it in multiple sessions - which i really want. UPDATE: it DOES resume an existing backup set. You just have to choose "BACKUP" after highlighting the existing set. it will give u info on how much there is remaining in volume and time. a very useful item for backing up important games or code that you may have in your collection. highly recommended in that respect. On the dark side of things: It's loud. Louder than a 360 running an HD-DVD. It's also relatively slow, with a max theoretical speed of 85MB/minute ( i m currently backing up at 39-41MB/min) and for 20GB it needs about 9 hours at the speed i m running - sometimes it hits even lower speeds. it is not recommended for people working/sleeping in the same room as their computer - it's extremely annoying! - it is to be expected though, being a professional tool. more as I discover more!;-) PS: GaijinPunch: if you're really concerned about backing up important pictures etc, I think Tape might be a good, long-lasting solution for you, much safer than any HDD or optical medium (bar MO disks in my view). As long as u keep the Tape inside its protective case and in the right environment, you should have long-lasting backups. Be warned that the drive is not cheap at all - 276USD for a new one (http://www.bluedogink.com/seagate-certance-tapestor-travan-20-usb-20.html) although I got mine brand new for about 60 USD. USB 2.0 connectivity is also great, since every PC has and will have USB ports for a long time to come. TIP: to add newer , non-existing files, create a folder within the SubVolume (root of sorts) and let it exist for future updates, then update the contents of that created folder accordingly , and choose the Archive function.
If you have money to burn... Oh shipping is free too, so that's alright then. I've used the travan drives and they are nice, well worth the price to back up your important data. Although remember to use a cleaning tape at least once every 2 months or every 20 backups.
jamtex, i m new to tape backup - what's a 'cleaning tape' and where can I get one? (I assume its something like those cleaning tapes used on old VCRs? )
Best to read this page http://cp-quantum.talismaonline.com/display/2/kb/article.asp?aid=2178 An FAQ on care and maintence. Cleaning tapes are about $30 or so and just clean the heads and spindles so the heads will read the tapes fine and there is little chance of dirt corrupting your tapes.
Ah Assembler won't look in here... Travan Tape Drive and Media Maintenance For optimum performance, your Certance Hornet Travan tape drive and Travan media require routine care and maintenance. The following guidelines contain information on establishing specific cleaning intervals, as well as suggested tips on extending the life of your backup system. Guidelines for Hornet Travan Tape Drive Cleaning: For optimum performance and extended life, your Certance Hornet and TapeStor Travan tape drives and data cartridges require routine care and maintenance. However, in adverse conditions, or when error rates become high, the tape drive recording mechanism should be routinely cleaned. How often you clean your tape drive is based on both the amount of tape usage and the environment in which it operates. Here are some general rules to follow in order to determine the appropriate cleaning interval: Do you use the tape drive for at least three hours every day? If the answer is YES, clean your tape drive at least once a week. If the answer is NO, clean your tape drive at least once a month. Are you using your tape drive in an office environment? If the answer is YES, then the above recommendations apply. If the answer is NO, and the tape drive operates in an environment that is high in airborne contaminants (e.g. not air-conditioned), then double the number of cleanings per interval identified above. If you are having trouble reading a tape, it is advisable to first retension the tape, and then clean the tape drive before attempting to read that tape again. Brand new cartridges should be retensioned before they are used for the first time. It is also advisable to clean the tape drive after the first use of a brand new cartridge. Hornet Travan Tape Drive Cleaning Procedure: Certance recommends the use of a dry cleaning cartridge for its Hornet family of Travan tape drives. Unlike the wet cleaning process, this cartridge does not use any flammable solvents. The cartridge removes debris from the recording gap in the read/write mechanism as the cleaning material passes across the head. Cleaning Instructions: Turn on power to the drive. Insert the cleaning cartridge into the drive. The entire cleaning operation is controlled by the drive, and occurs when the LED on the front panel of the drive is flashing. The LED will turn off after about 8 seconds, indicating completion of the cleaning cycle. Note: The drive LED will remain illuminated if the cartridge has previously completed the maximum number of 30 cleaning cycles. Be sure to record the cleaning date on the cartridge label for reference, and to track the number of cleaning cycles used. Store the cleaning cartridge in its plastic case for protection. Discard spent cleaning cartridges. DO NOT attempt to reuse or rewind the cleaning cartridge. Note: Check the firmware level on your ATAPI or SCSI tape drive, if a newer revision of firmware is required and available we can a email you a flash firmware upgrade. Please advise us of the current version of firmware on your tape drive and the manufacturer of your computer (If possible, indicate if the tape drive came preinstalled in your system). This information will allow us to provide you with the proper firmware level for your tape drive that will match your system. The table below summarizes the Certance Hornet Travan tape drive model numbers and corresponding firmware levels that fully support the dry cleaning cartridge. Prior firmware levels may not initiate a cleaning cycle, or provide the expected number or cleanings. Certance Tape DriveModel NumberFirmware Revision LevelHornet 8 SCSISTT28000N3.44 or laterHornet 8 NS SCSISTT28000N-C4.xx or laterHornet 8 ATAPISTT28000A5.44 or laterHornet 20 SCSISTT220000NAll levelsHornet 20 NS SCSISTT220000N-CAll levelsHornet 20 ATAPISTT220000AAll levelsTravan Media Care and Maintenance: Although Travan tape cartridges are built for rugged use, care should be exercised when handling them by observing the following precautions: For the best protection, always remove the tape cartridge from the drive when not in use. Store tapes in their protective cases. Never remove a tape cartridge from the drive when the drive LED is illuminated or flashing, indicating the tape is moving. Wait for tape motion to stop, and the drive LED to turn off, before removing the cartridge from the drive. For optimum reliability, Travan media must be kept free from contamination. Do not expose tape cartridges to dirt, dust or moisture. Do not open the tape access door on the cartridge or touch the tape itself. Do not expose cartridges to extreme temperature variations. Keep cartridges away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators or warm air ducts. Always allow a tape cartridge to acclimate to its surroundings before using. Retensioning the cartridge after exposure to a significant change in temperature allows the tape to stabilize. Keep tape cartridges away from sources of electromagnetic fields, such as telephones, computer monitors, dictation equipment, mechanical or printing calculators, motors, and bulk erasers. Avoid dropping a data cartridge, as this can misalign the internal components used to guide the tape. If a cartridge has been dropped, however, the contents should be recorded on a new cartridge to ensure reliable recovery of the data. The dropped cartridge should be discarded. Avoid using a tape cartridge beyond its life expectancy as specified by the media manufacturer. As a general rule, you can expect about 2 years of service from a cartridge that is used once each week. Do not bulk erase any TR-4 (or higher) cartridges, including the NS series (TR-4 QIC-3095-MC or TR-5 QIC-3220-MC). These cartridges cannot be re-formatted by the tape drive and will be rendered unusable. Tape Retensioning: Travan media requires periodic retensioning to operate properly in your Travan tape drive. Retensioning restores the proper tension throughout the tape pack, and stabilizes it by removing any pack shift. It also can remove unwanted tight spots in the media. Proper tape tension ensures the best possible contact between the tape head and media. For optimum performance, Certance recommends retensioning tape cartridges before every use. The retension feature is initiated under software control. This feature is available in most popular software applications. For example: Backup Exec for Windows 95/98 or NT Workstation Choose Tools/Media/Retension. (Note: Retensioning is automatically performed prior to scheduled backups) Backup Exec for Windows NT or NetWare Choose Tools/Drive Operations/Retension, or right click on the tape drive icon in Device view, and select Retension option. Retensioning is also recommended under the following circumstances: the media is new and being used for the first time. the tape cartridge has not been used for over a month. the tape cartridge has been exposed to changes in temperature. (Allow the media to acclimate to its surroundings before retensioning.) the tape is observed to "shoe shine" back and forth. ("Shoe shining" will result in the loss of tape tension.) Note: In general, if you experience problems reading a tape, retensioning the media may correct the condition. In cases of severe tension loss, a cartridge may require retensioning several times to restore proper tape tension. Other Environmental Considerations: To prevent ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) from damaging your Travan tape drive, please observe the following precautions when handling and using your Travan tape drive. Make sure you are properly grounded when handling the tape drive. Hold the tape drive by its side rails. Do not touch any components or the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). When installing the tape drive in a computer, ensure the tape drive's side rails are in contact with chassis ground of the computer. This metal-to-metal connection will provide an ESD discharge path through chassis ground. Never mount the tape drive in a plastic carrier. This will defeat any ESD discharge path. Note: People can be a source of static electricity, especially in cold, dry, and low humidity environments. It is advisable to remove any static build-up you may have by touching a grounded metal surface, thereby discharging the build-up, prior to handling the tape cartridge and inserting it into the tape drive.
Why not just go for something like: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MES2UE/026-8575884-7261223 :-/
hard drives are much more fragile to lateral movement and depend entirely on the right air pressure within the drive's mechanism in order to sustain the proper distance from the platters. Although they are proven to work and last considerably, I have decided to have alternate forms of backup to reduce the possibilities of data loss even further. furthermore, the drive cost me only 30 pounds, although it retails for about 200 pounds. This means that I could sell it right away and make some money, since it's professional equipment and serious buyers pay serious money for stuff like that that said, the HDD is almost at twice the price, which stings!
For over 10x the storage space . The hard drive isn't that fragile that if you slightly bump it that's it. Also if you want a backup over a long period of time HDD would be the much better route to go.
I was always under the impression that tape would corrupt over time due to loss of magnetism? Oh well, AimBob == Noob
Most companies will use Tape as back up storage medium as it is generally much cheaper, more secure and more realible then Hard Drives with tapes being stored properly having a 10 to 20 year life span. Although todays tapes would probably last much longer. Many companies make high speed and high density tapes with current high end tapes offering 1TB or storage.
