> > can anyone advise me how to determine the block size of this tape? > > mt -f /dev/... status > > reports the blocksize that the device is configured (not that tape > that is in it). > > If you read a tape, specify a blocksize larger than then one on > tape (maybe it has to be an exact multiple of it, never tried all > possible combinations. e.g. try: > > dd if=/dev/... bs=256k > > Some implementation of dd need "ibs=..." instead of "bs=..." to > force a blocksize when reading (and obs=... to force for writing). > > It's best to specify variable blocksize (by specifying 0 for the > command). It's the most flexible, for those drives that support it > (any modern drive, I believe).
seems the issue was a dodgy SCSI cable from the box to the drive. Swapped it out and it all works fine. thanks all. Tom
