Does anyone know about tape reading? Slow reading or data recovery? I'm sure there must be software out there.
I am not sure if there is any "one-size-fits-all" package, and I'd bet that it is going to be dependent on the drive manufacturers. I could be wrong about that. My experience with tape drives is only from Iomega.
I usually do the following with tapes that need data taken off of them. Locate a tape drive that the tape uses, purchase a NOS tape/cartridge, do a backup of files, do a restore of files to confirm the tape drive works first. Then I ask what app/program was used to write to the tapes, then I'll build/use a temp box and install the backup software that was used at the time. Then try a simple restore/copy of the data. I do all this so I know if I run into an error on the last step, its the tapes and not the drive/software. What are the tapes you have and what software was used to write to them originally?
Seeing as these tapes have not been played in years (I'm assuming), and recorded before that, it may be a good idea to check the tapes for sticky-shed syndrome. I don't know if this applies to computer tapes, but it says "magnetic tape", so I'm assuming it does. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky-shed_syndrome
Are you still looking for backup software? If so I am sure that I can still get my hands on a copy of BackupExec 11d for you Drives Supported: http://www.symantec.com/business/su...ey=15047&basecat=COMPATIBILITY_LIST&actp=LIST
