Conference noted::ibmpc-95

    Not much activity in this note for awhile so I thought I'd stir the
    pot.
    
    I've got a TLZ06-VA.  This is the tape drive in a StorageWorks brick
    configuration.  I can't get this drive recognized in my configuration. 
    I'm running Windows95 on a Venturis 590 with an internal CD on the
    Adaptec SCSI adapter and then an external BA353 "pizza box" which
    currently contains an RRD45 CD and an RZ28.  The TLZ06 goes to the last
    open slot in the BA353. 
    
    The thing that I'd like to get some help on is the switch settings on
    the two DIP switches inside the "brick".  One DIP is visible from the
    rear of the "brick" and the other is accessable only by removing the
    skins from the "brick".
    
    If you have access to any instructions that might have come with a
    TLZ06-VA or have personal knowledge of what these switch settings
    either should be or what each of the switches represents I would really
    appreciate your posting a reply to this note.
    
    Please let me know if you need additional details prior to your reply.
    
    THANKS!!
    
    Rick

    Hi,
    
      I've never had to mess with any switches inside the SBB, but the
    ones that are accessable from the outside should be set:
    
    sw1,2,3 down sw4,5,6 up.
    
      That will allow the SCSI target ID to be set by the pizza box switches.  
    I dont have the manual with me, but thats how we set them up to select 
    the ID of the slot.
    
    Kurt

    re: .50
    
    Kurt,
    
    I appreciate your reply!
    
    I tried the switches per your note.  Mine were exactly opposite!  I
    need to point out that this DIP switch is mounted upside down so my
    switch number run 6-5-4-3-2-1.  Is that the way your's go as well?
    
    In any case - NO JOY!
    
    If you happen to have one of these guys laying around and could give me
    the switch settings both inside and out it would be a BIG help!
    
    I did find a manual (EK-TLZ06-OM.004) online via Intranet.  It's titled
    "TLZ06 Cassette Tape Drive Owner's Manual".  It doesn't address the VA
    (StorageWorks) variant, but I tried the switch settings from the manual
    without success.
    
    Hope you can provide additional insight!
    
    THANKS!!
    
    Rick

	Are you using a third party package for backup.

	I've been told that W95 won't recognize this device
	by itself, that you'd need additional software to
	see/use the drive.

	If I'm wrong (and it wouldn't be the first time :-) ),
	please let me know, as I have one of these drives also
	in the SW box, and am unable to use it.  My wife would
	shoot me if I needed to get MORE software.. :-(

	Thanks,
	Charlie

    You -absolutely- need a 3rd party backup program to run the TLZ06.
    Windows95 won't even see it otherwise. Time for the bulletproof vest...
    Dir/tit=backup for details in Decstation, IBMPC-95, and WINDOWS95.
    
    The switches described in the TLZ06 manual are the switches on the
    brick, not the address switches you can get to on the -VA. They are
    different switches, with different functions. There is a label on the
    top of the brick which also describes them. You can't really get to
    them in a -VA, though.
    
    Also, if it is an old drive, you'll need to find a ucode tape and
    upgrade it. Code should be 4BQD/E to be the latest. No, I don't have
    tapes. Check in STKHLM::MAGTAPE for sources.
    
    Chris
    

    Hi,
    
      Yes, the switch pack on the flex strip is upside down, but the
    settings I gave you are correct.  Just for fun, I installed one of
    these guys in a pizza bix on the PC I'm using now and NT 4.0 sees it 
    fine.
    
      If the system has any SCSI utilities, the best thing to do is see if
    the SCSI adapter sees the drive. Since we now know, thanks to Chris and
    Charlie, that W95 wont even see the drive, you have no other way to 
    confirm that the drive is at least somewhat operational.  Most SCSI 
    adapters I've seen report the SCSI ID's on the bus when the system boots.  
    Adaptec has an identify utility they call SCSI Interagator.  Pretty
    fancy name for a few inquiry commands.
    
    Gotta love these PC things. 
    
    Regards,
    
    Kurt

Your replies are DEEPLY appreciated!  

BUT, we're operating at a more elementary level than you're giving
me credit for.  Let's take things one reply at a time:

re: .52

Yes, I know 3rd Party Software is needed.  I have a copy of 
Cheyenne Backup for Windows 95 which I understand works with the
TLZ family of drives.  So this is not an issue.

re: .53

No need for flack jackets.  Directory listing of notes is not
something I need to do at this point.  You will see why in a moment.

re:  .54

As regards the use of utilities - I have utilities for SCSI.  They 
work perfectly well and I am using them to test the SCSI bus after
I modify the TLZ06-VA and reboot.

THE CORE ISSUE

I can NOT get the device to be recognized in my configuration!  It's
been in there before and been recognized, but now it is not!

re: .54

If you got a TLZ06-VA to be recognized in ANY configuration I would 
be MOST APPRECIATIVE if you would take the time to shut down your
system, remove the TLZ06-VA from the BA353, open the cover on the 
TLZ06-VA and report back here the switch settings on both the 
6-position DIP that you can see from the rear view of the carrier
AND the setting of the DIP switch that you can only see with the 
cover off the drive that is part of the drive itself.

Does that make sense?  It's not a software issue!  It's either the 
TLZ06-VA that I'm attempting to use or it's something gone bad in 
the BA353.  

How do I know things are screwed up?  Good question and I apologize 
for not having provided that answer up to now.  When I insert the
TLZ06 either one of my CD's no longer is accessable on the SCSI
bus or an adjacent RZ28 is not accessable.  Yes, I've checked all
the switches on the back of the BA353.  I've rechecked my hex math
until I no longer trust myself on the subject.  

BTW, I do have the firmware update tape that was mentioned in one of
the previous three replies.  Now if I could just get the tape drive
to come online with all the other SCSI devices I could apply the
update and start using my Cheyenne backup software to back up this
system.

I sincerely appreciate your patience and support on this issue.
Perhaps this thread will be of value to others attempting to replicate
my adventure.

THANKS!!

Rick
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    re: .55 by NETRIX::"Rick Stetson@WKO"
    
    >> Perhaps this thread will be of value to others attempting to
    >> replicate my adventure.
    
    Hi Rick,
    
    I don't think so.  No one else would run Win95 on that beefy SCSI
    configuration.  ;-)  Seems like such a waste  ;-p
    
    Just kidding of course, since Win95 isn't the issue here and just the
    misbehaving TLZ06.
    
    Cheers,
    
    /Bill

    The 6 switches on the SW cable are for setting the ID. 3 switchews
    disconnect the other 3 switches, to allow the BA box to set the ID's
    automatically.
    
    The 8 switches on the TLZ06 are as follows:
    
    1-3 are SCSI ID on the drive - should be off in the -VA config.
    
    4 SCSI Mode, S/B on for SCSI-2
    
    5 Parity, S/B on
    
    6 Data Compression default Sw on = default off (this is normal setting)
    	Given that many W95 backup programs don't have a clue about HW
    compression, I would suggest setting this to off (default compression
    on)
    
    7 N/C, or in later code revs, Dec vs Archive Inquiry reporting. 
    Normally off
    
    8 Self Test on power up. S/B on.
    
    Other than ID and parity, there is nothing on the internal switches
    which would keep it from showing up.
    
    Note that bad termination -could- cause the drive to not show up, as
    could bent pins, etc. Without it in front of me, there is no way to
    tell.
    
    What is the code rev? 
    
    There's an exhaustive compendium of TLZ06/7/9 code changes posted in
    STKHLM::MAGTAPE, FYI
    
    Chris 
    

    I've seen a broken dip-switch on the back of a BA353 playing havoc with
    SCSI IDs. To check could you have the TLZ as the only device on that bus?
    
    Guenther

    Hi,
    
       I have seen TLZ06 have a problem with their flex strips.  See blitz
    TD 1671.  I beleive I was the author :)
    
      I'll post it if you want.  The SCSI ID would ignore the least
    significant bit, and might cause the drive to conflict with another
    device.
    
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Kurt

    That can also happen if the ID cable is plugged incorrectly onto the
    drive... No fun getting the SW shell open to fix it....
    
    Chris
    

        In your pizza box, use an even SCSI ID, it will work if this
        is the problem 
 
    
    
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      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
      | d | i | g | i | t | a | l |              TIME DEPENDENT CASE
      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
      +---------------------------+

      TITLE: SCSI ID problem with TLZ06-VA SBB

                                                DATE: 12 July 1994
      AUTHOR: Kurt Astor                        TD #: 1671
      DTN:    522-2478
      Enet:   SSDEVO::ASTOR                     CROSS REFERENCE #'s:
      DEPT:   Subsystems Engineering
      INTENDED AUDIENCE: All                    PRIORITY LEVEL: 1
      =====================================================================

      PROBLEM:

        The SCSI ID flex cable assembly in the TLZ06-VA SBB, in rare
        circumstances, is susceptible to intermittent connection on
        the least significant bit causing the SCSI device address to
        change.

        Note: DO NOT replace TLZ06-VA's that are working properly.  For failed
        TLZ06-VA's follow the normal Customer Service procedures for failed
        FRU's.  Most TLZ06-VA's will not and do not exibit the problem
        identified.

      RESOLUTION/WORKAROUND:

      WORKAROUND:

        TLZ06-VA drives exhibiting these symptoms will work normally in even
        slots.  Utilize the even slots in the BA350, ie; 0,2,4,6.
    
      RESOLUTION:

        If you need to make a failed drive operational before replacement,
        follow the procedures below.

      - Reconfigure the SCSI Bus Addresses so that the TLZ06-VA's are at
        even addresses.

        This can be done by physically moving the TLZ06-VA to an even slot in
        the BA350 shelf.

        It will be necessary to assure that the operating system will
        recognize the devices at the new addresses and that the new addresses
        do not create a conflict.

        The customer will then be able to use the suspect drive until it is
        replaced through normal Customer Service procedures.


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