I am a Computer Network Tech. I need to find out how to format an 8mm
data cartridge, to erase previous data on these tapes. The tapes I
have are Sony 112m 5.0 GB. I just received over 100 of these types of
tapes and would like to clear the data off of them.
Thanks

Hello njmarge,

Thank you for your question. 

I have to assume that you have a tape drive for these 8mm tapes. If
so, there should be software provided by the drive manufacturer that
most likely will have a tools section that provides a utility to
reformat. If you do not have either a drive or software, you will need
to make some purchases.

I will assume that you do have a drive but do not have software for
the moment. If that is the case, my favorite program for backup to
tape is Backup MyPC:

http://www.stompinc.com/bump/bump-retail.phtml?stp
BackUp MyPC (Formerly Backup Exec Desktop by Veritas)

BackUp MyPC is a powerful yet easy to use data protection and disaster
recovery solution for a single computer or peer-to-peer network.
Conveniently backup important files or your entire computer while
you're not even around using our advanced scheduling system.

BackUp MyPC backs up to Recordable CD/DVD, Tape, Zip, Jazz, and other
removable media drives and employs disc spanning and data compression
which typically can double your media capacity for significant
savings.

This program sells for $69.95 and can be downloaded. There is even a
trial download available at this site.

As is the case with many backup software programs, they may not be
compatible with all drives. Consequently, check this page for your
drive to be sure this is a viable solution.
http://www.stompinc.com/cgi-bin/test/compat.pl

For example, here are the 8mm drives supported by this program:

Vendor Common Model Model Name 98/ME NT 4.0 WIN 2000/XP* Media Types
Interface

S = Supported
N = Not Supported
% = Does not support Disaster Recovery

DEC Exabyte 8505 SWXTE-AA/AB/AC S S S 8mm SCSI 
ECRIX VXA-1A VXA-1A S% S S 8mm SCSI 
ECRIX VXA-1E VXA-1E S% S S 8mm SCSI 
ECRIX VXA-1F VXA-1F S% N S% 8mm 1394 
ECRIX VXA-1I VXA-1I S% S S 8mm SCSI 
ECRIX VXA-2e VXA-2e S% S S 8mm SCSI 
ECRIX VXA-2i VXA-2i S% S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 4200 4200 S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 4200C 4200C S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8200 8200 S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8200SX 8200SX N N N 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8205 8205 N N N 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8205XL 8205XL N N N 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8500 8500 N N N 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8500C 8500C S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8500ST 8500ST N N N 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8505 8505 S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8505XL 8505XL S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8505XL 8505XL S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8700LT 8700LT S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE 8900T 8900T S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE Conquistador 8700 S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE Eliant 820 S S S 8mm IDE 
EXABYTE Mammoth 8700 S S S 8mm SCSI 
EXABYTE Mammoth 8900 S S S 8mm SCSI 
IBM 8200 8200 (3532-023-7208-001) S S S 8mm SCSI 
IBM 8505 8505 (3445-001-7208-011) S S S 8mm SCSI 
SEAGATE Exabyte 8200 MS2200HS N N N 8mm SCSI 
SEAGATE Exabyte 8205 MS2200HS+ N N N 8mm SCSI 
SEAGATE Exabyte 8500 MS5000HS N N N 8mm SCSI 
TECMAR Exabyte 8000 Series 8000XL S S S 8mm SCSI 

You can see the interface at this page, and under the TOols menu you
will find a heading for Media where you can both securely erase the
tape and reformat.
http://www.stompinc.com/bump/ss1.html

QUE has an excellent page on tape backup here:
http://cma.zdnet.com/book/upgraderepair/ch18/ch18.htm

They note:

"... There is only one company, Exabyte, which manufacturers 8mm tape
drive assemblies. As a result, you're assured compatibility...."

Consequently, I feel confident that Backup MyPC will be a workable
product for your needs.

If you need to purchase a drive, Exabyte can be found here:
http://www.exabyte.com

Their Mammoth 8mm drive can be found here:
http://www.exabyte.com/products/products/mammoth.cfm

And you can search CNET or PriceScan or PriceWatch to find current
discounted prices.

www.cnet.com
www.pricescan.com
www.pricewatch.com


Search Strategy:

reformat +8mm +tape +software OR program

I trust my research has provided you with a solution to erase and
reformat your tapes. If a link above should fail to work or anything
require further explanation or research, please do post a Request for
Clarification prior to rating the answer and closing the question and
I will be pleased to assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

---

Request for Answer Clarification by njmarge-ga on 03 Apr 2003 10:53 PST

Thank you for your prompt response. I neglected to post in my question
that I am working on a Unix based system. We are using AIX, Solaris
and RedHat Linux. I have plenty of 8mm tape drives to perform this
operation. I do not have the software tools you were talking about.

---

Clarification of Answer by clouseau-ga on 03 Apr 2003 11:16 PST

Hello again,

Try as hard as we can, it is difficult for researchers to anticipate
critical details that are not included in your question. I had assumed
that your work environment would include at least one system running
on a Windows platform.

Since Exabyte seems to be the exclusive manufacturer of 8mm tape
drives, I revisited their site and searched for "UNIX".

http://www.exabyte.com/support/online/documentation/os.cfm?id=15

Here you will find a list of vendors tht have software solutions for
the Unix platform. For example:

Bakbone
http://www.bakbone.com/

BakBone is Committed to Linux! 
 
BakBone Software has the broadest Linux support in the storage
management market, supporting more leading distributions than any
backup software vendor
 
http://www.bakbone.com/linux/

Simple, Fast, Affordable Backup and Recovery Solution for Linux 
 
Many companies are purchasing Linux based servers as a low cost
alternative to higher priced proprietary Unix/Windows environments.
The challenges then begin with finding a cost-effective storage
management solution to support the different environments.

Try a free 45 day trial of any of our products. Like so many of our
customers, we're sure you'll find that our software is powerful, yet
easy to install and use.

http://www.bakbone.com/products/backup_and_restore/netvault_we/

NetVault™ WorkGroup Edition 
 
NetVault WorkGroup Edition is the ideal backup and restore solution
for departmental workgroups and small heterogeneous UNIX, Windows
NT/2000, Linux and Netware environments. A modular architecture allows
NetVault WorkGroup Edition to combine with BakBone's plugin modules
for enhanced features such as application data protection, disaster
recovery, NDMP and open file protection...

Server/Client Platforms: Alpha Linux, Compaq Tru64, FreeBSD, HP-UX,
IBM AIX, Linux Kernel, NCR MP-RAS, SCO OpenServer, SCO Unixware, SGI
Irix, Solaris (SPARC), Solaris (Intel), Windows NT/2000

I was unable to find pricing on this product, but you can try the free
trial and contact them for pricing. You may find that purchasing an
inexpensive Windows box and SCSI card and BackupMYPC may be a more
cost effective solution for you.

I trust this helps.

-=clouseau=-

On UNIX systems, the mt program is available for magnetic tape
operations. Look at its man page - there is an erase option.

If all you need is to format the tapes, you could use a magnetic
degausser, it is faster than using a tape drive, and more secure,
since it will completely wipe the data off the tape, the price will be
for a small manual one is $150-$200

If your in the UK use www.ultratec.co.uk