John
 
Our drives came with a loose-leaf insert.
 
Seems that switch 3 on the bottom of the drive is the MRS (Media
recognition System) override switch.
 
ON = MRS enabled. Non MRS tapes treated as though write protected
OFF = MRS disabled. Non MRS tapes treated as though write enabled.
 
The only differemce I can see in the media is that old DATS have only one
tiny indent in the side of the flap cpvering the tape, and newer DATS
have two. Also I think the case at the bottom has a subtle difference.
 
I don't know what the implications of the override are.
 
Also, Switch 1 and 2 control the compression defaults and enabling
capabilities. But I'm not exactly sure how.
 
Neil
[log in to unmask]
 
 
 
 ----------
From:  owner-hp3000-l[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:  26 January 1996 09:38
To:  Multiple recipients of list HP3000-L
Subject:  DDS2 Drives and Tape Media
 
Greetings!
 
A week or so ago, we replaced a 1503 DDS drive with a 1533 DDS2 (aka
A3183A)
and discovered all the older tape media not marked MRS became read-only
when
inserted in the new drive.  A 1995-dated posting in this newsgroup
indicated
the old media can still be written by changing one of the dip switches on
the
bottom of the drive.
 
I'm wondering just what what this dip switch setting effects and if there
is
any "downside" to making the change.  The booklet that came with the
drive
does not document the dip switches and settings.  Does anyone have
the docs on this?  Thanks.
 
John Pearce
Bethesda Management Company                     [log in to unmask]
Colorado Springs, CO                            Standard Disclaimers
Apply