DDS 2 Tape Drive

[Rogue1987]

I've got a HP DDS 2 Tape Drive. I've got a tape for it, but I have question:


I've also got a large amount of DDS-4 Tapes, but don't have
a DDS-4 Drive. Is there any way to make them work in the
DDS-2 Drive?





Also, do you have any general tape drive tips? Or backup tips?

Thanks

[DonJ]

From HP's website:
DDS Media Compatibility Matrix

To exploit the full potential of a DDS-format drive, matching cartridges should be used: DDS-3 cartridges for DDS-3 drives, DDS-4 cartridges for DDS-4 drives, and DAT 72 cartridges for DAT 72 drives.

This will allow the drives to store the maximum amount of data on a tape. However, HP DDS drives are backward compatible. This means that, for example, a DAT 72 drive can read and write DDS-4 tapes. Note that it will use DDS-4 format, so the full advantage of DAT 72 will be lost. Drives are not forward compatible, so, for example, a DDS-4 drive cannot read or write a DAT 72 tape. It will simply eject it.

Also,

If a DDS-2 or DDS-3 tape in a DDS-1 drive, it will be ejected immediately, and a DDS-2 drive will eject a DDS-3 tape.

In other words, no, you can not read a DDS-4 tape in a DDS-2 tape drive, it will be ejected.

For more info from HP's website, you might want to check out their Tape Storage Systems.

Hope this helps out.

[Rogue1987]

OK, now my question turns to backup programs. Will the program MS included in XP compress data, or should I use another partys backup software?