Backup Problems, I need a solution BAD!!

[Anonymous]

We turned our standalone server into a true server a few months ago by installing OS 10.3 Server software on it. Since then the tape drive that we have will not show up. We bought Retrospect 6.0 Workgroup software for the Mac. I tried buying two different SCSI Cards from Adaptec. Neither of those fixed the problem. The tape drive is a bit old, but I don't see why we couldn't make this work. The tape drive is a Sony DDS SDT-S9000. I have tried calling SONY, Adaptec, and Retrospect and I have gotten no where. Does anybody have any suggestions on what might work. I have been trying to find a cheap firewire tape drive so I wouldn't have to bother with trying to find a compatible SCSI card but I haven't had much luck. If we have to buy a new tape drive, it needs to be something cheaper than $500. What other options are there for backing up automatically. The folder that we need to back up is about 5-10gb but we would like to accomadate expansion up to 30gb for the future if possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We have not backed up in months and it is a little scary.

[Dave Jochum]

I agree with Matthew's suggestion to toss the tape drive. Hard drives have gotten so cheap that tape is all but dead. For firewire capable setups especially, look at OWC (Other World Computing -- macsales.com).

[Anonymous]

Any certain brand or model that you would recommend. You do this with Retrospect?

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all that replied and helped me with this issue. I have been struggling to make this old tape drive work for months. I decided to purchase two Acomdata 120GB 7200rpm External FireWire Hard Drives. They were only $139 a piece at macmall.com. And Retrospect's website said that they were qualified to work with their software. Thanks again guys, this message board has helped me for so many different things. Most not even ArchiCAD related. Thank You!!!

[Thomas Holm]

I agree with Matthew. We also use two external hard disks alternately.

For making the backups, we use LaCie's free backup program Silverkeeper. Efficient, fast, lets you schedule backups and keep different pre-configured backup sets. Has been working flawlessly for more than two years here, and is compatible with the latest Panther release (10.3.2). We see no need to pay for Retrospect.

Go to http://www.lacie.com/silverkeeper/

Alas, it's not compatible with tape drives.

Regards,

Thomas