Hi John,

The Seagate ARCHIVE Python 04106-XXX (aka Scorpion 24) tape drive was marketed as the PowerVault 100T.

Documentation for this drive can be found here:

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the quick response.  I was hoping something like that was the case.

Couple other questions if you have the time.

If the cleanings and trying a new tape succeed (which so far it has), should I not apply the firmware update, like I said, have been using this drive for 3 years, or should I apply the firmware anyway?

2nd:  Have been using the same set of tapes (1 different for each day) since Aug 1999, have rotated a couple of them out, is there a normal range of how long a tape should be used/rotated out?

Thanks again for any help provided.

John

Hi John,

I would definately recommend applying the firmware update. This should help extend the life of the tape drive.

In general, I recommend replacing the tapes once a year.

I recommend cleaning after every 4 hours of use for a new tape (until the entire tape has been written) and every 20 hours of use for used tapes.

Thanks again Mark, your time and help is greatly appreciated.

John

The latest firmware is 7600 from seagate.

Seagate Scorpion 24 STD224000N DDS-3 Tape Drive
http://www.certance.com/support/tape/specs/dds/std224000n.html

Seagate ARCHIVE Python 04106-XXX (aka Scorpion 24) tape drive was marketed as the PowerVault 100T.

http://www.seagate.com/support/tape/utils/tdiag.html

Supports these tapes:
60-m (DDS-DC) MP tape
90-m (DDS-DC) MP tape
120-m (DDS-2) MP+ tape
125-m (DDS-3) MP++ tape

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed / replaced from this post by Dell>

During the power-on self-test (POST) routine, the Seagate DDS-3 TBU displays a message similar to the following: SCSI ID:LUN NUMBER #:# 6:0-ARCHIVE Python 04106-XXX

The ARCHIVE PYTHON identification string in this message refers to the Seagate DDS-3 TBU.

Additionally, ARCHIVE PYTHON may appear as a device in the backup utility that you use. This identification string refers to the Seagate DDS-3 TBU.

To identify the tape drive's firmware version:

select Start | Run
Type regedit and select OK. The Registry Editor window will appear.
From the Registry Editor, select Edit | Find, type "logical Unit ID". Press F3 until the Seagate / Certance drive is found. The firmware information is listed at the end of the identifier string.

http://www.certance.com/support/tape/utils/stdiag.html

Seagate Scorpion 24/96 (DDS-3)
Seagate Scorpion 40/240 (DDS-4)
Seagate/Certance DAT 72 / 432
Seagate Viper 200 / AL810 (LTO) / LTO 2 / CLL3200
Seagate Travan 8/20 (TR-4/TR-5) and NS 8/20
Seagate Travan 40

The Scorpion 4 and 8 and the Scorpion 24 return different inquiry strings. The inquiry string of the drive is configurable using switch 7. Full details of the possible inquiry strings returned are given below:

Drive Switch 7 Inquiry String Returned
Scorpion 4 off ARCHIVE Python 04687-XXX

Scorpion 8 off ARCHIVE Python 04687-XXX

Scorpion 24 off ARCHIVE Python 04106-XXX

Scorpion 4 on SEAGATE DAT 04687-XXX

Scorpion 8 on SEAGATE DAT 04687-XXX

Scorpion 24 on SEAGATE DAT 04106-XXX

The UNIX compatible drives have a set of configuration switches on the bottom of the Drive. Switches 9 and 10 are used for UNIX support:

System Switch 9 Switch 10
Sun off on
DEC on off
IBM off on
HP off off
SGI off off
SCO off off

.