From: sci240s@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au (Wey Jing HO)
Subject: Choice of backup tapedrive for OS/2 & Win3.1? Dat or Exabyte? Summary & Update ...
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Monash University, Melb., Australia.
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 12:59:07 GMT


** ORIGINAL MESSAGE **
I am about to buy a tape drive (SCSI interface) for use under both OS/2
and MSDOS/Windows 3.1 environment. Has anyone got any comments about the
pros and cons of DAT vs. Exabyte? What is the popular brand and what about
its cost and reliability? More importantly, what about software/drivers
availability for each of the OSes (so I need to be able to backup both
FAT and HPFS realiably)?

Please feel free to email me your comment and I'll summarize if there is
interest. Let say I'll collect any responses for the next 10 days or so
starting from today (ending 24 January, 1993).

**************************************************************************
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 93 11:21:53 EST
From: jurlwin@gandalf.umcs.maine.edu (Jeff Urlwin)
Organization: University of Maine, Department of Computer Science

DAT will be cheaper, no question about that.  I've seen some DOS packages
advertised for around $1000, while the exabyte will be over $2000.

Exabyte can store either 2.5 gigs per tape or 5.0 gigs per tape, depending
upon the model of drive you buy.  The 8200 will do the 2.5, while the 8500
will do 5.0.  If you have a 5 gig tape, the 8200 won't read it.

We stuck with Exabyte, despite a $700 repair bill (flat fee, paid up front...)
We were tempted just to buy a NEW DAT drive for around $1000, figuring it
would be cheaper in the long run, if a new problem cropped up.
(All the drive needed was a good cleaning and a new door...)
But, in our case, we use the drive for sending information to CDROM 
manufacturing companies.  They are HEAVY into Exabyte, while DAT selections
are mighty slim.  So, for us, it was better to stick with the Exabyte,
than to try DAT.

Personally, I'd find a DAT drive that works with Sytos+ and the Adaptec 1542
controller (should be no problem on the 1542, but Sytos+ has a list
of supported drives).  Sytos+ for OS/2 seems to be the best around.
I've tried the GTAK (PD) stuff, but it had a problem with multi-volume
stuff on the Exabyte.  (It used an SCSI command option that wasn't supported
by Exabyte drives -- SPACE, with the option to seek to end of data FYI).  

Sytos+ is pretty fast, although it's the LEAST intuitive interface I've
ever used.  Once you get used to it, you really can do anything you need
(I think).  

Do you have any more specific questions?  Please do summarize, I'm curious
how others fared with the DATs.

Jeff

P.S.  I know it's tempting, but if you're using the Exabyte, DON'T use
the video grade tapes.  Buy the DATA grade.  Evidently, they are "dirtier"
than the DATA certified ones.  The price difference isn't as great as
it was before, but I've seen video tapes as low as $7 and Data as low
as $13 (I think)...

**************************************************************************
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 93 15:05:17 -0800
From: samiam@netcom.com (Scott Moore)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware

>pros and cons of DAT vs. Exabyte? What is the popular brand and what about
		  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hey ! I work for the DAT division of ExaByte ! We make both the 8mm and
4mm (DAT) products!

And BTW, I have been using an ExaByte 4200 DAT drive under Os/2 2.0 for
some time now. It is, IMHO, the best thing since sliced bread.

					     [sam]
**************************************************************************

End of received comments. To date, I still have no definite reason to think
that one tape drive is better than the other under OS/2, especially when
budget $$ comes into consideration. When one says 8mm tape drive, does it
mean the drive uses 8mm tape as in the tapes used in 8mm video camera/
recorder?

What about possibility of waiting for the SONY mini disc format
drive (it is like normal 5 1/4" CD with read and write capability but uses
smaller disc; 3 1/2" ??)? Is this a choice worth considering at all for
those who can wait say 6 months or a bit more? Any speculation for its
price when it hits the market (especially in relation to existing tape
drives).

Has anyone compile a price list for popularly available tape drive? Also,
where can one get the best bargain?

Regards,
Wey J Ho
sci240s@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au
27 January, 1993

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>Wey Jing Ho    Tel: 61-3-565-3615   E-mail : sci240s@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au<
>  Physics Dept, Monash Univ, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC 3168, AUSTRALIA   <
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Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc