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AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1223                6-14-95

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EXCESSIVE ERRORS ON BACKUP VERIFICATION ON AST DESKTOPS


PROBLEM:

When using a Conner TapeStor 850 or Iomega Ditto Insider 850 to back up a 
system that contains a Quantum Lightening series hard drive, an excessive 
number of errors may be encountered when attempting to verify the tape to 
the drive.  This may happen when using the Windows version of the Backup 
Exec software included with the tape drives.  When performing a verify 
with the DOS-based software, no problems are encountered.


CAUSE:

While in a Windows environment, some firmware revisions used on the 
Quantum Lightening series drives can result in data integrity problems.  

Refer to TB 1148 (on AST's BBS, TBS library) for additional information 
concerning other known symptoms associated with this older firmware.


SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

All AST Desktop systems using a Quantum Lightening series Hard Drive.


SOLUTION


Obtain a firmware flash update disk part number 911884-031 by calling 
AST Technical Support at (800) 727-1278, or download the self extracting 
zip file (11884031.EXE) and update the firmware on the offending drives.  

File 11884031.EXE can be located on AST's BBS (817) 230-6850, in the "Systems" 
file area.  AST's BBS supports modem speeds up to 28.8k bps.  The above file 
will also be posted on: 

CompuServe 
Go ASTSUPPORT

AST Worldwide Web Site
http://www.ast.com