Tape problem when restoring Meridian mail

[luddyspence]

This is the error message I get when restoring Meridian Mail on a Option 61 system:

Unable to read tape header. Try a different backup tape
Error with tape operation rc = 1567

I have tried all 4 backup tapes. Is it the tape drive that needs replacing. Note that the Meridian Mail OS loaded ok using the same tape drive unit. HELP....

 

[johnpoole]

i've been there.. how old are the tapes? are you trying to load a partial backup or a full? a full backup formats the hd so if the system can't reload the os from a full backup you can not get the cust data back.. about 4 years ago that happened here so i had to re enter 1800 plus users, plus about 30 menus that we had zero documentation on...

because the os loaded from the drive i would suspect the backup tapes not the tape drive... i would load the os, and keyboard it back together from there... when mine crashed, i wasted two days with tech support and waiting for parts... i had been in the switch room 50 hours or so prior to nortel telling me the only option was to start typing.. not a good weekend, but a good check

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[BkMesser]

Make sure the size of the tape is correct for that version of mer mail. I can't remember what size it has to be, but I'm sure it in the docs... Good Luck

"Mongo only pawn in game of life.

 

[acewarlock]

Have you cleaned the tape heads?




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[luddyspence]

How can I get to the point of cleaning the tape heads? I have a tape cleaner cartridge but what is the command and how do I get there?

 

[janaya]

Just put the cleaning tape in. It will eject when finished.

John

 

[phonz1]

just insert the tape and cycle the power..... also, you should have some long q-tips and some alcohol to get into the tape drive and clean them manually.... I would try it but... you say it runs the install tape and not the backups, I am not suspecting dirty tape heads. Are you certain that the back ups aren't in the lock position?

 

[luddyspence]

The backup are not locked and I am using the option "Restore from Backup.

If I have to start from scratch, what would be the procedure? Should I use the Utilities option to "Recreate system?

 

[phonz1]

If all other options have failed, you'll need the install tape and the keycodes and you'll run the tape and chosse the option to install a mer mail system. At that point, you will be erasing the HDD and starting out fresh.

 

[CJG3]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I assume you are faced with the choice of either doing a restore from the tapes or (spending many hours) keyboarding the information into the system.

I have been in your situation several times and have found the following. Look closely at the back up tapes. Are they 2.0GB or 2.5GB? For some reason the 2.0 are WAY more problematic and finicky. Had one job where the backups were on 2.0 and we changed to a slightly different model Tandberg drive and it worked. The Nortel spec is a Tandberg SL4, but we used a different one - sorry but I can't remember the exact model but it was a Tandberg.

If the tapes are 250MB then you should probably try an Archive drive. They are meant specifically for 250MB tapes. You already have the OS on the hard drive. Just use the Archive to restore the customer data and remove it when done.

We used to do all aspects of Meridian and had a warehouse full of used/spare equipment to try different things.

 

[luddyspence]

I am using a 2.5 Gig tape

 

[luddyspence]

No need to reprogram mail. Removed the controller board on the back of the defective hard drive and swap with another controller board on another hard drive. Now the system is up with the Meridian mail page. However all the DSP ports are out of service. Cannot enable ports.
Only 1 node and the type of node is MSP and it is out of service. How can I get the MSP node back in service???

 

[Triton101]

Check the AML link in LD 48 and try to enable it if it's down.

both layers should show connected or enabled?

 

[luddyspence]

AML layer 2 is established and Auto:ON
layer 7 is ACTIVE EMPTY

 

[phonz1]

that's good for the aml, disable and enable the switch ports

 

[Triton101]

check to make sure the MM agents are showing Idle in the switch and are not disabled. (mer mail loop(s) are enabled)

 

[luddyspence]

Mail loop card was disabled and re-enabled and the status is idle for the TN's.

 

[luddyspence]

I manually backup one of the tapes and was able to restore from the tape. The backup program was not backing up the tapes. I suspect the tapes were blank. I am testing the backup by doing a restore in a few days.
I had to start the MM from scratch and input the mailboxes, etc because the data on the harddrive was corrupted.