Hi Edward :)
    Ok... we had the same problem here.... so I put in a check using SHOWDEV
and Grep'ing the output to see if there was a "(W)" in the output from the
showdev.

    The problem with this is that if someone pops your tape out (without any
process reading or writing to the tape) after the drive properly loaded the
tape and registered it as being write enabled... the showdev will still show
that there is a tape loaded!  :(

   This can cause problems :( what was that quote... "Even the best laid
plans of mice and men?" hehe

Art "you can only do so much without laying eyes on the tape!" Bahrs
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Broderick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 3:16 AM
Subject: [HP3000-L] Checking tape present in DAT drive


> Our backup routine runs automatically in an evening using the STORE
> command. However, if there is no tape in the drive, it will wait until
> there is a tape. The backup process is within a dayend routine and unless
> the backup completes, the application cannot be started the next morning.
> Ideally, I would like to check if there is a tape in the DAT drive before
> the rest of the dayend process runs.
>
> Anyone any idea how I you can check if there is a tape in the drive?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Edward Broderick
> Dixon Motors Plc
>
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