Description: 8505 Tape Drive Firmware Date: 08/28/98 Version: 808 ========================================== Upgrade Method - CTS Monitor ========================================== CTS Monitor is a software tool that you can use to upgrade firmware over a serial port. CTS Monitor is compatible with all Exabyte 8mm tape drives except the 8700, Eliant 820, and MammothTape drives. You can download CTS Monitor from this web site free of charge. To use CTS Monitor, you must have an IBM-compatible PC that can run DOS. To load code to a tape drive in an Exabyte library, follow these steps: 1. Download CTS Monitor from exabyte.com and install the program on your computer. 2. Download the latest firmware for your tape drive. 3. Use a straight-through 9-pin to 9-pin serial cable (not a null modem cable) to connect from the library's serial port to a serial port on your PC. These cables are available from Exabyte or most computer stores. If your computer's serial port has a 25-pin connector, you will need a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter (available from most computer stores). Note: Some library models have separate 9-pin serial ports for the drive (CTS Monitor) and library (CHS Monitor). Be sure to connect to the drive/CTS Monitor port. Check the Installation and Operation manual for your library if you are unsure. 4. You may need to place the tape drive you are upgrading in "pass-thru" mode or select the specific drive from the library's LCD (for instructions, see the Installation and Operation manual for your library). 5. Follow the instructions in the on-line documentation provided with CTS Monitor for loading code. To load code to an internal tape drive, follow these steps: 1. If you have a 3-pin serial port on the back of your tape drive, order the CTS Monitor kit from Exabyte. This kit includes a custom serial cable that connects from the 3-pin serial port on the back of the tape drive to a serial port on a PC. If your computer's serial port has a 25-pin connector, you will need a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter (available from most computer stores). 2. If you have a 4-pin serial port on the back of your tape drive, you must construct your own cable. 3. Download CTS Monitor and install the program on your computer. 4. Download the latest firmware for your tape drive. 5. Connect the serial cable as described in the on-line documentation provided with CTS Monitor. 6. Follow the instructions in the on-line documentation for loading code. Some tabletop 8mm tape drive have a 9-pin serial port on the back panel. If your model has this port, follow the steps below to load code. If your model does not have this port, you must remove the tape drive from the enclosure and follow the instructions for internal tape drives. To load code to a tabletop tape drive that has a serial port, follow these steps: 1. Use a straight-through 9-pin to 9-pin serial cable (not a null modem cable) to connect from the serial port at the back of the tape drive to a serial port on your PC. These cables are available from Exabyte or most computer stores. If your computer's serial port has a 25-pin connector, you will need a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter (available from most computer stores). 2. Download CTS Monitor and install the program on your computer. 3. Download the latest firmware for your tape drive. 4. Follow the instructions in the on-line documentation provided with CTS Monitor for loading code. ========================================== Upgrade Method - EXPERT for DOS ========================================== The following instructions describe how to use Exabyte's EXPERT diagnostic utility (version 7.3) to load firmware across the SCSI bus to an Exabyte 8mm tape drive. Note: EXPERT 7.3 supports all 8mm SCSI-based Exabyte tape drives and libraries. EXPERT does not support non-SCSI Exabyte devices, such as the Exabyte 1500 and Eagle floppy-interface or IDE interface products. What you need: * EXPERT diagnostic utility. You can download EXPERT from this web site. * Firmware for your tape drive. You can download firmware from this page. * SCSI controller card with ASPI drivers installed. To obtain an ASPI driver, contact the manufacturer of the controller. * IBM compatible PC running DOS. Note:EXPERT does not run under the Windows NT 32-bit operating system. Therefore, you cannot shell to DOS from Windows NT and use EXPERT. Loading firmware: 1. Make sure the tape drive or library is powered up, connected to the SCSI bus, and properly terminated. 2. Copy the EXPERT program file (EXPERT73.EXE) and the firmware files to the desired directory on your computer. 3. Extract the EXPERT program by typing EXPERT73 at the prompt. 4. Start the EXPERT program by typing EXPERT. The EXPERT main screen appears. The EXPERT main screen lists all the devices found on the SCSI bus. 5. Use the up or down arrow key to highlight the tape drive or library name. 6. Press F2 to display a menu of tools. The available tools are listed across the top of the screen: Command, Scan, and Firmware. 7. Use the arrow keys to highlight "Firmware." The Status window (the upper, right portion of the screen) displays all the firmware files in the current directory, as shown in the example below. 8. Use the arrow keys to highlight the firmware version, then press Enter. EXPERT displays status messages while it performs the upload. When finished, it displays "Firmware load was successful." 9. Wait until the tape drive or library has finished its reset cycle before you restart your backup software. If the firmware did not load successfully, contact Exabyte Technical Support.