Formatting A Tape For Backup - Akai DD1500 User Manual

SYSTEM - DISK - 22

FORMATTING A TAPE FOR BACKUP

Before you can perform a backup, you must first format the tape so that the tape is set up
to receive files and digital audio data. This done using the FORMAT key.
To format the tape, select the appropriate SCSI ID for the tape drive in the TO SCSI TAPE
field. As with disk drives, the tape drive must not share the same SCSI ID as any other
SCSI device on the buss. Once selected, press the format key. You will see this screen:
** FORMATTING THE TAPE WILL PERMANENTLY DESTROY ITS CONTENTS **
PLEASE BE CAREFUL BEFORE PROCEEDING
Because of the potential danger of accidentally formatting an existing tape, you must
press SHIFT+EXECUTE to proceed. During the format, you will see the message
"FORMATTING TAPE. PLEASE WAIT" pop up on the screen during the process. Once
the process is complete, you will see the message "FORMAT COMPLETE". The tape is
now ready for use.
NOTE 1: The format should not take long under normal circumstances (15 seconds or so)
but if the tape has been used several times before, you may find it takes longer as the
DD1500 may need to check the tape to make sure it is suitable for use. Under extreme
circumstances, it may need to check the entire tape and so could take some time. If this is
the case and the formatting seems to be taking a long time, you can press EXIT to abort
the formatting process.
To avoid this, it is recommended you always use new, unused tapes. It is also not a good
idea to use tapes that may have been used to backup material from some other system
(for example, a PC or a Macintosh™ computer or (heaven forbid!) some other disk
recorder.
NOTE 2: If you receive other messages such as DRIVE NOT READY or DRIVE BUSY,
then there is a problem with the cable and/or the drive. Please check both. Is the drive
switched on? Is there a tape in the drive? Are the cables connected securely? Is the SCSI
buss terminated correctly? If everything seems correct but the problem persists, try moving
the tape drive elsewhere in the buss (i.e. move from the end of the chain to the middle or
vice versa). If the problem still persists, contact you Akai dealer.
If a message such as THE SELECTED SCSI ID IS A DISK DRIVE is shown, this indicates
you have selected the wrong SCSI ID in the TO SCSI TAPE field. Please take the
appropriate steps.
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 239