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Old DLT tapes show up as blank media

Updated: 21 May 2010 | 2 comments
CBentsen's picture
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We have a box of old DLT tapes that were used for backups with previous versions of Backup Exec (maybe V9.0 or earlier).  These tapes were also created using different Tape Drive hardware than what is on site today.  We would like to review what data is on these tapes.  The problem is that when we "Inventory" the tapes, they show up as being Blank Media.

We have set up a Server with a fresh install of Windows Server 2003, and a fresh install of Backup Exec V9.0.  We have verified that the tape drive functions properly, since a few of the tapes do Inventory properly, and we are able to Catalog them.  The only tapes that seem to work are the ones that were originally created with this particular Server and DLT Tape drive.

Does anyone have suggestions about how we can go about restoring data that is on these tapes?

-carl-

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Dimitris Peppas's picture
05
Nov
2009
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The inventory only adds the

The inventory only adds the tape to the media database, it does not read their information.

After the inventory, did you try to catalog a tape?

From http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/269948.htm

What is an Inventory?

An Inventory is the process of mounting media in the drive and reading the media label, which is then displayed in the Devices view. If this is the first time that Backup Exec (tm) has encountered this media, the media label is also added to the Media view. 

What is a Catalog?
When you catalog a tape, Backup Exec reads the header information from the tape and stores it in a file on the hard drive. 
The information contained in the catalog includes, but is not limited to:
  • Tape number/label/name (something to identify that tape from all others)
  • Date and time of the backup
  • Type of backup
  • What directories/files were backed up



BR,
DP
CBentsen's picture
05
Nov
2009
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As I mentioned, after we

As I mentioned, after we Inventory these tapes, they are shown as <blank media>, and the tape's original media label does not display.  Since BackUp Exec thinks that they are blank media, "Catalog" is not an option, it is greyed out.  We are certain that these tapes contain data from backups done in the past.