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1993-08-26
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TRAKKER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Parallel Port Usage Codes:
Some parallel ports will not handle the faster default
settings and you may need to slow them down using the tape
configuration program. To reset the parallel port codes, go
to the tape (or Trakker) subdirectory. Type CD\TAPE (or
CD\TRAKKER). Then to start the program, type config from
the C:\TAPE prompt (or C:\TRAKKER prompt) and then press
ENTER... for example:
C:\TAPE>Config (press ENTER)
This will load the tape configuration program and you will
then need to select hardware configuration. Answer the
questions and look for the question that asks, "DO YOU WANT
TO PERFORM ADVANCED OPTIONS?" The next screen will say,
"Please note your parallel port(s) type:." It may say
something like, "LPT1 Parallel Port Type: Unidirectional."
Then go into the next screen that will say PARALLEL PORT
USAGE: 2. It will usually default to 2 for Unidirectional
parallel port or a 5 for Bidirectional parallel port. Either
way, you will want to test your system by slowing down the
parallel port usage to 0 on a Unidirectional parallel port
or 4 on a Bidirectional port. If it works on a
unidirectional port, you may want to try setting number 1 to
see if it will run faster. Listed below is a brief summary
of the codes by parallel port type.
Unidirectional Bidirectional
Fast 2 5
Slow 1 4
Slowest 0
The following is a list of suggestions for ERROR 194, ERRORS 122
and 123, ERROR 90 and optimizing your backup.
ERROR 194
1. Make sure the power plug is all the way in the Trakker.
If the drive comes on when a tape is inserted, it is
getting power.
2. Make sure the data cable is plugged into your parallel
(LPT) port and not your serial port.
3. Make sure the data cable is plugged in securely and
oriented properly.
4. Make sure the data cable is plugged into the port
marked "To Computer" on the Trakker.
5. Try plugging the Trakker directly into the PC if you
have a parallel switch box, or any other parallel
devices installed.
6. If you have documentation on your parallel port card or
documentation on your computer system, verify that your
parallel port interrupt is set to IRQ 5 or IRQ 7 and
the parallel port address is set to 378h, 278h or 3BCh.
You can usually enable the hardware interrupt, change
the hardware interrupt or set the parallel port address
by changing jumpers on your parallel port card, or by
making parallel port changes through your CMOS setups.
In some cases the interrupt and/or address may not be
selectable at all. Refer to the documentation for your
parallel port or the documentation for your computer
system for more information.
7. If your Computer system is a PS/2 check the following:
PS/2:
Some PS/2s are equipped with a "processor type 2" that
allows for IRQ sharing (Arbitration levels). The
Parallel Port Arbitration level is found in the CMOS by
pressing Ctrl-Alt-Insert simultaneously at bootup or by
booting with the reference diskette.
1. On some PS/2s the "Parallel Port Arbitration"
level choices are 0-7 and Disabled. Set the
"Parallel Port Arbitration" level to
Disabled.
2. On some PS/2s the choices for Parallel Port
Arbitration levels are 0-7 only, and the
arbitration level cannot be Disabled.
Trakker is unable to operate on these
systems.
8. Reinstall your Trakker software. First delete the files
in the Tape directory and then run the "Install"
program from your Trakker Software installation
diskette. There is a QICFAX document available on
de-installation of the Colorado Backup for DOS and
Colorado backup for Windows software.
9. Try a different parallel port or install another
parallel port card.
10. See Calling Technical Support at the end of this
document.
ERRORS 122 and 123
1. Clean boot your PC (refer to the end of chapter 6 in
your Colorado Backup manual for help) to eliminate TSRs
(see TSR in the Glossary of your Colorado Backup manual
for an explanation of TSR). TSRs loading in your
CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files can interfere with
Trakker operation. If the Trakker operates with a
"Clean Boot" you can then add TSRs back into the
CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files one at a time until
the Trakker will not operate. This will pinpoint the
conflicting TSR which may need to be removed. Another
option is to "Clean Boot" with a floppy disk when you
want to use the Trakker.
2. Change the "Concurrent disk/tape operation" in the
software setups to "N" or delete the "X".
3. Change the parallel port usage to 0, if the problem is
corrected increase the usage number until you find the
optimum setting.
4. Turn Off your turbo switch or, Turn On your turbo
switch.
5. Reinstall your Trakker software, by first deleting the
files in the Tape directory and then running the
"Install" program from your Trakker Software
installation diskette. There is a QICFAX document
available on de-installation of the Colorado Backup for
DOS and Colorado backup for Windows software
6. If you are comfortable and understand your CMOS setups
(settings generally apply to 486DX systems):
a. Verify your bus timing is set to 8-12 Mhz.
b. Turn off 486 cache -- With Trakker Software 3.04
and above this can be done with the "/Y" switch.
7. If your computer is an IBM PS/2 with a processor type
2, set IRQ 7 and IRQ5 to "Dedicated" in the IBM system
setups.
8. Try a different parallel port or install another
parallel port card.
9. See Calling Technical Support at the end of this
document.
ERROR 90
1. Enable the hardware interrupt on the parallel port.
(see step 6 under error 194)
2. Change the hardware interrupt on the parallel port.
(see step 6 under error 194)
3. Repeat the steps for Error 122 and 123.
Tips to optimize backup times
1. Use the "Optimize Time" option for compression when
doing a backup.
2. If using DOS 5.0 or above, load DOS high (see your DOS
manual for information).
3. Load high as many device drivers and TSRs as possible
(see your DOS manual for information).
4. Run the software from the command line or in a batch
file (see your Colorado Backup manual for information)
5. Use the /-p option from command line to disable
printing of files to the screen.
6. Try turning Turbo on if it is currently off.
7. Set the "Sort Type" to "No Sort" in the Tape software
setups.
8. Add buffers to your config.sys file.
Approximate Backup Speeds
The following chart is an estimation of the backup times we have
seen in our testing of different classes and speeds of CPUs.
Your backup times may vary due to free memory, hard drive access
time, hard drive optimization, data set and data compression.
Backup times will usually be slower when using data compression,
except on faster CPU's.
CPU/Speed Approx. MB/Min
286/12 1.5-2.5
386/16 2.0-3.0
386/20 2.5-3.5
386/25 3.0-4.0
386/33 3.0-4.5
386/40 4.0-6.0
486/20 3.5-4.5
486/25 3.8-4.8
486/33 3.8-5.8
486/40 4.0-7.5
486/50 4.0-8.0
486/66 4.0-9.5
Using the "Print Dir" option with Trakker
If you have only one parallel port in your computer, and
your printer and Trakker are installed on the same port, you will
not be able to print the tape directory from the Trakker
software. You can print to a text file and dump that file to hard
copy after exiting software. If you have at least two parallel
ports (LPT1, LPT2, LPT3), then Trakker and the printer must be
installed on separate parallel ports in order to print the tape
directory from the Trakker software.
Calling Technical Support
1. When calling Colorado Memory Systems Technical Support,
at 303-635-1500, please have the following information
available.
a. Computer brand and model
b. Parallel Port brand, model and writing on the
largest chip on the board
c. Listing of CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files
d. TSRs that are used
e. DOS version and Network type and version (if
applicable)
f. Memory configuration
g. Printer brand and model
h. Trakker model (Trakker 120 or Trakker 250) and
serial number (located on the bottom of the
Trakker unit)
i. Detailed description of the problem including:
1. When does the problem occur (backup, restore,
format, etc.)?
2. Is the problem intermittent or does it happen
consistently?
3. Is this a new installation, or has the
Trakker been installed and working for a
period of time?