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?