I am running NT 4.0 Server with SP6a. A SCSI Segate Python DDS3 Archive Tape Drive. My problem is the backup starts and completes then I can no longer access the drive or the OEM program unless I reboot the server. All the data appeares to be intact. This is a Dell Poweredge 1300 I have installed updated drivers, updated firmware, cleaned the drive with the head cleaning tape many times, run diagonsitics from DOS (once it's rebooted it all works fine so no error is found) run Seagate diag. from Windows with no problems. When I can not access the drive before I reboot both lights are on saying that the drive has power and is either being read from or written to. Microsoft wont help cause its a Dell server and Dell now wants me to reinstall NT Server. I find this hard to believe. The owners won't give up any $ unless something crashes. They only react to problems. I wanted to go with Vertias or Computer Assc. but the purse strings are to tight right now.

As I'm sure you've figured...it sound like a software prob. I would try and uninstall the backup program then reinstall it. And maybe try another to see if it keeps happening. I think it's Novastar but not sure.

http://www.no-panic.com/backup/nback.html

Thats it. I loved it.

Actually I've had this exact problem with the DAT tape drive on a Poweredge 2300. You have to do a number of things:

- re-install/update the tape drive driver
- re-install/update the tape drive's scsi adapter driver
- update the firmware on your tape drive
- unplug and reseat all the scsi connections in your system
- if all else fails, unplug the CD-ROM drive in your system and see if the backups work consistently.