"Lynn McGuire" wrote in message
.. .
I am getting an error while backing up to my Exabyte VXA-2 tape
drive on certain tapes. This is the second tape for this occurance.
I own 10 tapes (I have written to each tape several times now).
The error message is:

Error: TapeAlert: Your data is at risk:
1. Copy any data you require from this tape.
2. Do not use this tape again.
3. Restart the operation with a different tape.

TapeAlert: The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is
faulty:
1. Use a good tape to test the drive.
2. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.
Error: An error occurred while writing the backup data.
A defective or damaged area was detected on the media.

Please:
1. Make sure your media and device are clean and free of all debris.
2. Verify the device connections and the device settings.
3. If the media is severely damaged, please discard the media after
all data possible has been restored.
4. Please use another media or try using the erase or format menu
item to repair the media.
(08-03-23-13-0406)

Operation Completed - No ( Cancelled )
Backup Job Ended - 9/15/2003 9:07:46AM

I am using Windows XP Pro. I am using Veritas Backup Exec Pro
version 4.61. I am backing up 10 PCs to my tape for a total of a
about 100 GB written to the tape. I have to all of my tapes several
times now. I do own a cleaning tape and run it when I am told to
by the software.

Do you know why this error is occuring ?

Sincerely,
Lynn McGuire

Lynn,

Have you tried running a cleaning tape through the drive? When the drive
really needs cleaning, there will be an LED stating this. If the drive does
not have a cleaning indication on the LEDs, then please try to find if
Veritas has any hotfixes for their software. Unfortunately I have had too
many instances of Veritas software claiming hardware related problems that
are suddenly 'fixed' by a software patch.

If all appears well, try Exabyte's vxaTool diagnostics software to see if
the drive writes and/or reads properly (Use a SCRATCH tape...). Last but not
least, make sure your SCSI bus is running in LVD mode. The drive can switch
to Single-Ended mode, but this is not a recommended mode and can cause
read/write difficulty.

Rob