HP TapeAssure

What Is HP TapeAssure? Checking Your SCSI Configuration Verifying Your Installation Problems Running HP TapeAssure

What Is HP TapeAssure?

The HP TapeAssure software on this HP SureStore Tape CD-ROM can be used to:

• Check your SCSI configuration before installing the tape drive
• Verify that your tape drive is operational after installation
• Diagnose problems at any time after installation

TapeAssure checks for the presence of a SCSI controller and its driver software and identifies the SCSI IDs of existing SCSI devices. If an HP SureStore tape drive is installed, TapeAssure will perform a series of tests on the tape drive to verify that it has been properly installed and provide guidance on what to do if there is a problem.

There are HP TapeAssure versions for Windows NT 3.51/4.0, Windows 95/98, and NetWare. On a Windows NT system, you can install TapeAssure directly on the server with the tape drive. For a NetWare-based server, you will need to install TapeAssure from a client workstation running Windows 95/98, then run TapeAssure from the NetWare server console.

Checking Your SCSI Configuration

Before you install your tape drive, you can use HP TapeAssure to check your computer's SCSI configuration. Running TapeAssure will identify the SCSI IDs of existing SCSI devices, allowing you to determine whether you need to change the SCSI ID of the tape drive before installation.

• For Windows NT, you can install TapeAssure directly on the server to which the tape drive is connected.
  
• For NetWare, you will need to install TapeAssure on the server from a client workstation running Windows 95/98, and then run TapeAssure itself from the NetWare server to which the drive is connected.
  

To run HP TapeAssure:

1. Put this HP SureStore Tape CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and select the home.htm file.
   
2. Select the appropriate language.
   
3. Choose "HP TapeAssure" from the Welcome page.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install TapeAssure on your server (either Windows NT or NetWare).
   
5. Exit TapeAssure after viewing the SCSI configuration information.
   
6. TapeAssure is now installed on your server. When you want to use it again, run it from the Programs option in the Windows Start menu.

Verifying Your Installation

Once you have installed the tape drive hardware, you should verify that it is functioning properly before you store your valuable data.

1. Switch on the tape drive (if the drive is external).
   The tape drive will run its self-test, which takes about 5 seconds. At the end of the self-test, both front panel lights should be out. (More about the self-test and front panel lights.)
   
2. Switch on the computer.
   
3. Run HP TapeAssure from the Programs option in the Windows Start menu and follow the on-screen instructions to verify that your new tape drive is operational.
   No other backup software should be running at the same time. Have a blank cartridge ready for the backup and restore test, which you should perform to check that the drive can write data to tape. (See tape loading instructions.)

Problems Running HP TapeAssure

If HP TapeAssure does not work correctly, or hangs during processing, there may be a compatibility problem with your SCSI card. The current version of HP TapeAssure may not support:

• Adaptec 1510 SCSI cards (with a 6360 chip set)
• Symbios cards

In order to verify installation of your tape drive, use your backup software to run a trial backup and restore.