I have problems in installing a new purchased Onstream USB30 tape
drive. I have tried to install on my 2 PCs in my home with no luck.
The configuration of my PCs is as follows:
PC no. 1
=========
Windows Me
Tekram P5-T30B4 mainboard
AMD K6-2 400 MHz
256 MB RAM
ATI Radeon SDR 32M display card
Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1 sound card
3COM 3C509 network card
PC no. 2
=========
Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional
multi-boot
Tekram P5MVP-B4 mainboard
392 MB RAM
ATI Rage 128 display card
Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1 sound card
3COM 3C509 network card
The symptom is when I connect the USB tape drive, new hardware is
detected by the OS, and I install the drivers and the Echo backup
software, following the instructions in user manual. However, the Echo
backup software does not recognise the existence of the tape drive.
I have tried all installation and troubleshooting steps mentioned in
the Onstream website but no luck.
I have also tried a clean installation of Windows 98 SE and Windows
2000 Professional on PC no. 2, still no luck.
Anybody who can help me to install the tape drive successfully on
either PC will be eligible for the reward. Thanks in advance. |
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 03:32 PDT
Hi budgie-ga,
I'm posting this as a clarification so we can see if any of this is of
help to you.
On searching OnStream's knowledge base, I came across several entries
which may be related to your problem:
"The OnStream USB30 drive attaches to the USB port on your system;
however, the Echo software will not recognize the drive unless the
Freecom drivers are installed and functioning properly. It’s
recommended that you attach the OnStream drive to your USB port, and
then install the Freecom drivers, before attempting to load the Echo
software. The Freecom driver is available for download at
http://www.onstream.com/support/fc_drivers.shtml."
[ http://www.onstream.com/knowledge/article.asp?search=echo+software&Query=1&submit.y=0&submit.x=0&offset=10&art_id=1024
]
It has been suggested to install the Freecom Drivers PRIOR to letting
any OS detect the drive via USB.
Secondly, they generally recommend turning off Anti-Virus Software
prior to the installation. Did you maybe happen to have any software
running?
[ http://www.onstream.com/knowledge/article.asp?search=echo+software&Query=1&submit.y=0&submit.x=0&offset=10&art_id=1057
]
You may also want to verify that the drivers have in fact been
installed properly by comparing your Win98 installation with what they
have listed here:
[ http://www.onstream.com/knowledge/article.asp?search=echo+software&Query=1&submit.y=0&submit.x=0&offset=10&art_id=1026]
In case there are any differences to your installation, please report
this here, so we can track down the problem further.
Other ideas: have you tried downloading and using the latest Echo
1Safe software, especially with WinXP?
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/downloads/echo/echo3.6_form.shtml ]
Other than that, we should narrow things down to, let's say 2
operating systems. There have been reports that the Echo software is a
little tricky with different OS, so I suggest we use Win XP or Win98SE
as a reference.
Also, you're not using a hub, are you? In that case, you may want to
connect the drive directly to a USB port.
[ http://www.ntcompatible.com/compdet.php?details=5457 ]
Let me know if any of this was of help to you. If not, I'd be happy to
do additional research.
Best regards and hopefully successful back-upping,
searchbot-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 05:31 PDT
Hi,
1. I have tried both drivers shipped with the tape drive and
downloaded from Onstream web site.
2. I have tried installing the drivers before and after connecting the
drive to PC.
3. No antivirus is running throughout the process.
4. I have tried the Echo software shipped with the tape drive as well
as downloaded from Onstream web site.
5. I have tried all OS versions including Win98SE, WinMe, Win2k and
WinXP.
6. The tape drive is directly connected to the USB port.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 06:21 PDT
Hi Budgie,
sorry my first tips didn't help. Isn't this just a situation any user
of a computer just likes to be in? You seem to follow the instructions
and still it doesn't work. How frustrating. My own experience tells
me, that the best thing to do under such conditions is just to follow
a step-by-step guide precisely. Yes, I know you're frustrated, you
just want this damn thing to work, but please do me the favor and go
through the process once again. Below, you'll find links to either the
Win98 or the Win2000 environment. Please pick your favourite. :) Prior
to installation it is very important that you uninstall each and every
driver that you had installed previously for that drive. This includes
the Echo software.
Win2000:
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/echo3.2_usb_instructions.shtml ]
Win98 or ME:
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/echo3.2_usb_98_instructions.shtml ]
Please post any errors you might run into and tell me precisely at
which point in those instructions you can't go on. In case the
installation itself runs smoothly, please check everything mentioned
at the troubleshooting page.
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/trouble_shooting_freecom.shtml ]
Are all drivers functioning properly? Do you see all the drivers
mentioned there in your Device Manager? Etc. Please post this here.
Then: Do you have any other USB devices attached to your computer? If
so, remove them during the above listed process. If not, have you been
using other USB devices with your PC? Have they been functioning?
Generally, this whole problem is really haunting me, because it so
much sounds like a generic error. The fact that you've tried to
install it on so many different systems does make one suspicious of
general malfunctioning of the device as well. But before resorting to
this, we'll try a few more things.
Waiting for a response,
searchbot-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 06:25 PDT
I forgot to mention: while reinstalling, please disable ALL other
software that is running, sometimes there are weird interferences here
that are otherwise hard to track down.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 06:39 PDT
Something you can do to test the overall functionality:
Install the OnStream driver that will expose the USB30 as a regular tape drive:
Instructions for XP:
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/xp_instructions.shtml ]
Then try using the Backup utility that comes bundled with WinXP.
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
08 Jun 2002 19:55 PDT
Hi,
Thanks everybody for the comments. I will try all over again and post
the results shortly.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
09 Jun 2002 05:30 PDT
I've checked into the USB Via driver issue mentioned below. One of
your boards, the Tekream P5MVPB4 indeed does have a Via chipset
installed.
Question: What systems should use the USB filter patch version 1.10?
Answer: Any system, with any Microsoft operating system that supports
USB, that has a VIA chipset based motherboard.
[ Release Notes, ftp://downloads.viaarena.com/drivers/others/usbf_110.zip
]
So it might not be bad idea to apply this patch anyway. However, your
other board uses an Intel chipset. So we should conclude that the
specific Via USB issues are not related to your problem, as the same
symptoms also show on the other PC.
Specifications for your mainboards:
[ ftp://ftp.tekram.com/documentation/p5mvpb4/P5MVPB4_100.PDF ]
[ http://perso.club-internet.fr/bonnetjo/cartes_mere/tekram_p5t30b4.htm
]
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 00:33 PDT
Hi all,
I summarized the results as follows:
I tried with clean OS installations with no other software installed.
No other peripherals attached to the system.
For the PC with VIA chipset the USB filter patch was always installed.
I tried with drivers and Echo 3.2.99 shipped with the tape drive as
well as most recent drivers and Echo software downloaded from Onstream
web site.
When the tape drive is connected to the USB port of the system, the OS
detected new hardware and prompted for drivers. I used the drivers on
the CD-ROM and the system identified as "Freecom Cable USB" and
drivers installed without error. Then I manually installed the tape
device "Onstream USB30" in the device manager (I should do it
manually, different as described in installation instruction). Then I
installed Echo 3.2.99. It was installed without error and "1Vision PFS
Device" was seen in the device manager. However the tape device was
not seen by the Echo software. Then I installed Echo 3.6. The tape
drive still not seen by Echo. Then I installed the Freecom 1.45 driver
downloaded from Onstream. The driver was installed successfully but
the system became very very slow. The tape drive still not seen by
Echo. The system returned to normal speed if I disconnect the tape
drive.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 04:06 PDT
Hello again,
From what you've last written, it seems to me you didn't do as I
suggested. Unless we're not really facing a general malfunctioning
here (of device, cable...), your whole problem seems to be a
software/driver conflict issue. To resolve this, it is vital to use
the most current drivers and de-install any previous software/drivers
before trying something else. The drivers on your CD may be outdated.
Then: Have you checked the cable? If not, please try using another
cable for the whole process. Maybe you even have another one at home
that fits? If you don't feel like getting a new cable right now, try
step 0 (see below). This will test your OnStream USB30 with the
Windows Backup program that comes bundled w/ Win2000. In case step 0
fails to get the device to work, get a new cable and start with step 0
again.
---> OS in all cases: Win2000 <----
0) Test if your drive has a general malfunction by uninstalling every
previous Onstream Driver (perform uninstall routines for the software,
then check if there are any relevant devices left in the Device
Manager and remove them manually) and then installing the OnStream SC
Driver which is NOT COMPATIBLE with the Echo software, but can be used
with MS Backup which comes bundled with your Win2000. Please perform
this step so we can see if the drive works at all and maybe provide
you with a second option in case the Echo problems should persist.
Go here, and follow the steps precisely, including troubleshooting:
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/sc2k_instructions.shtml ]
Then please post the results here, before moving on.
1) Uninstall everything & reinstall ACCORDING TO INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTION MENTIONED ABOVE. THIS INCLUDES DOWNLOADING AND USING THE
DRIVERS MENTIONED AT THOSE ADDRESSES. Please do not "mix" drivers.
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/echo3.2_usb_instructions.shtml ]
2) Then go to the troubleshooting page and compare what you see there
to your system. Pay attention to the versions of the drivers and
possible device conflicts.
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/trouble_shooting_freecom.shtml ]
3) Post your results here.
If anything should be unclear about the above, please let me know. I
again checked various newsgroups. Usually the Onsteam USB thing seems
to work OK, i.e. there's no general problem related to it that many
people are having issues with, so there's really no reason why we
shouldn't get this fella to do your backups.
Ready to take the challenge,
searchbot
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 04:48 PDT
Greetings,
I have tried uninstalled the old drivers and used the most recent
drivers. The result was the same, i.e., the system became very slow
unless the tape drive was disconnected. Also even with the most recent
drivers the Echo software didn't recognise the tape drive.
I will try using SC drivers and MS backup in Windows 2000, stay tuned.
Thankyou.
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 06:25 PDT
Greetings,
No luck even with SC drivers installed. MS Backup didn't see the tape drive either.
I want to buy a new cable but I don't know the specification of the cable.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 06:49 PDT
The cable itself is standardized. There's no buying "the wrong one."
"Two types of connectors may be found on a USB cable: Type A, and
Type B. The USB Type A connector has a rectangular profile and is
generally used at the end of the cable that plugs into the host USB
port. The USB Type B connector has a square-like profile and is
generally used on the end of the cable that plugs into the USB
peripheral device. The USB cable itself is composed of four conductor
wires. Two wires are used for data communications, leaving the two for
transferring 5V power to the USB peripheral devices. In many cases,
this 5V source is sufficient to power these USB devices, thereby
eliminating the need for an external power supply and providing a neat
and tidy installation. USB extension cables may also be used to
increase the distance between the USB device and USB port."
[ http://www.startech.com/parts/usbfaq.htm ]
What about troubleshooting the SC driver as suggested and referred to
on the SC installation page? Does the tape drive show up in your
device manager?
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 07:07 PDT
Sorry for posting that twice. My auto-refresh jumped in.
That's what the cable should look like:
[ http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_cables.html#usb ]
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 08:07 PDT
Hi,
The cable is not a general USB cable, it is type A at one end but the
other end is 26-pin, not type B.
In Windows 2000, there is an exclamation mark with the tape device in
device manager: "This device is not workingly properly because Windows
cannot load the drivers required for this device (Code 31)".
In Windows 98, no errors, exclamation or question marks in device
manager.
Again, all OS installations are clean, i.e., fresh installation with
nothing else installed. Also most recent OS service packs and critical
updates are applied using Windows Update.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 09:10 PDT
"... cannot load the drivers ..."? And you did proceed as directed in
the step-by-step guide for the SC driver? Without any errors during
the installation?
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/sc2k_instructions.shtml ]
---> Do me a favor and try that again under XP.
[ http://www.onstream.com/support/xp_instructions.shtml ]
When you were talking about Win98, you were again referring to the
Freecom etc. drivers, not the SC drivers, right?
About the cable: maybe the store you bought the device at can help you
out here, i.e. lend you another cable of that model or exchange it?
Alternatively, I'd have them quickly check the functionality of the
device for you. It's really of no use we try to get something to work
that may be broken. :)
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 11:29 PDT
One more thing: you just bought this thing recently, didn't you? I'm
thinking maybe the firmware is outdated or something if it's a very
old one you bought used?
|
Clarification of Question by
budgie-ga
on
12 Jun 2002 18:53 PDT
Hi,
The firmware version of the tape drive is 1.09 (as printed on the
drive), the most recent version.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
13 Jun 2002 04:32 PDT
Alright, so it's not the firmware. Please keep me posted on the cable
issue and the SC driver under XP.
Thanks.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
searchbot-ga
on
20 Jun 2002 08:53 PDT
Hey budgie,
since I haven't heard from you in quite a while, I was just wondering
if there were any new developements... in case everything should be
working out or you're just about ready to give up on it all, I'd be
pleased if you posted a little note here, so that I can safely erase
this matter from my mind. After all, I've put a considerable amount of
time into researching this toughie. However, if you should need
further help, go ahead and post it here.
Regards,
searchbot
|
