Northeastern Regional Information Center presents:

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should I clean my tape drive?
  
• Do I need to re-tension my tape drive?
  
• Why do I need to have more than one tape?
  
• What if I can't find the backup info I want?
  
• Can I save my backup settings?
  

How often should I clean my tape drive?
Most newer tape drives have a light that indicates when it should be cleaned. You should keep in mind that over-cleaning, as well as under-cleaning can shorten the life of your equipment.

Do I need to re-tension my tape drive?
Some types of tapes may need to be re-tensioned. Standard DAT tapes do not need this.

Why do I need to have more than one tape?
Your backup tapes will not last forever, and must periodically be replaced. If a tape 'goes bad' you will lose the data you have on it. Additionally, having more tapes means that you can 'cycle' the use of your tapes and store more than one day's worth of data.

What if I can't find the backup info I want?
If the backup tape you have contains data that was recorded quite awhile ago, this information may have been dropped from the ARCserve database. You may have to place the tape in the drive and "merge" the tape to re-add the data to the database list. Additionally, if you are having trouble 'seeing' your data, try going to the Device Manager and using Media View instead of Tree View.

Can I save my backup settings?
Yes, after creating your backup settings, choose File, Save As and give a name to your settings.