Sony SuperStation & WinMe

[DTurner220@aol.com]

Ross -

Just read your posting on "The Sony SuperStation is Garbage" site.  Like 
everyone else, I too have had problems with the drive and Sony's sorry 
support.  I did learn from another driver site that the Backup Exec 2.0j that 
ships with the drive is indeed junk, and that IF you push the Sony Support 
Tech, they will ship replacement software - Backup Exec 3.1d (AWA).  (Guess 
what the AWA stands for?)  I did just that, and did indeed get the new 
software on a Sony CD-RW, probably burned by the tech support staff.  The 
BEST I have been able to do is A) backup and restore a handful of files less 
than a Meg each in size, and B) get about 25% through a backup with verify 
when it states an error - "tape removal" (and the tape is still in the 
drive!).

Sony Tech staff have further explained that the problem is with the Direct 
Tape Access (DTA) software that came with the Sony.  I have uninstalled, 
tried a backup, and reinstalled DTA, with no improvements or changes in 
backup capabilities with the Sony - NOTHING WORKS PROPERLY.  One of the 
reasons I bought this drive - besides price (duh) - is the prior success I 
have had with both Microsoft/Seagate Backup and especially DTA; I 
specifically wanted to migrate (read) tapes from my old system (a 486/100 I 
still keep as a backup) as well as client's backup data kept on tape.

Your ability to get this thing to run with WinMe has me cautiously hopeful, 
but questions remain (jump down a few paragraphs).
 
BACKGROUND
I recently bought the drive - at a discount - at BestBuy a few days after I 
bought a new Compaq Presario 750MHz AMD at Office Depot just before year-end 
(business write-off).  
System came with 64 meg ram; I added an additional 256 for total 320 meg ram. 
This is my first new complete OOB system in 8 years, having normally built my 
own from components; no regrets on new Compaq system (AMD750 runs sweet), 
although WinMe problems with (even upgraded) software from certain vendors is 
a PITA.

MY SYSTEM
Compaq EIDE/ATAPI hardware config: Primary Master - Quantum Fireball 20Meg
                                                                              
    (on cable select)
                                                          Primary Slave - 
Open (for SuperStation)
                                                          Secondary Master - 
Compaq/Generic 40x CD
                                                          Secondary Slave -  
Phillips 48x CD-RW
     
ATTEMPTS
Per several calls to Sony, I have swapped jumpers and cables, with NO REAL 
success.  The BEST (per above) was with the Sony as Secondary Master and the 
Compaq CD as Secondary Slave; the CD-RW was unusable because the ribbon cable 
won't reach (this is a mid-tower 5000 series with only 4 external bays - 2 @ 
5 1/4", 2 @ 3 1/2").  Great - disable one known working device so another MAY 
work?  No way!  Plus, I have concerns during a system reboot whether or not 
the Compaq will be able to recognize the CD on the Secondary slave, instead 
trying to read the Sony tape drive on the Secondary Master (this has 
happened).

I have (per Sony Tech) 1) disabled anti-virus software; 2) gone to desktop, 
pressed the 3 finger salute and methodically disabled most running apps (to 
increase available system resources); and 3) even uninstalled and reinstalled 
the replacement 3.1d software.  NO SUCCESS.  NADA.  Yet the Sony Tech staff 
claims that this indeed runs in WinMe.  I bet that they also claim Clinton 
was and is celibate. 

I have since reconfigured the system back to OEM layout, and have backed up - 
VERY SUCCESSFULLY - to the CD-RW several times.  When DVD/CD-RWs come down in 
price in a year, I think backing up to a few DVDs will be far easier than 
continuing with tape backups.  But I need the tape backup abilities now...  
    
QUESTIONS
Ross, regarding your system & configuration:
- What brand, CPU, hardware, drives?
- What config on Primary and Secondary EIDE/ATAPI channels?
- Are you running System Restore in the background?
- Did you change or disable the Power Management settings? (Note that standby 
mode on Compaqs and other brands does not always work properly; forget 
hibernate mode - your system may crash like a dead bear in the middle of 
winter).
- I have downloaded the Veritas-branded Backup Exec Desktop v4.5 demo, but 
have NOT yet tried it.  Did you do any additional hardware / software mods or 
change settings to make this work?  
- Have you also tried using the Direct Tape Access software, with or without 
the Veritas software installed?  Any success?
- Any other thoughts or ideas?

I am just trying to find how to make this turkey work.  Like everyone else, 
these problems were unexpected then and unacceptable now.  Sony Tech staff 
have offered no real resolution of the problems or a refund.  The ideas of a 
complaint to your state Attorney General and a class-action law suit are both 
good, but take time and don't resolve the immediate issue.   These e-mails 
and forums have been more helpful, and MAYBE we can find a solution.  Who 
knows?

Closing thought - do you suppose the Sony SuperStation Genius Team are the 
same ones who - two decades ago - brought us the "world-standard" betamax 
video tape?  This keeps crossing my mind NOW - why did I NOT think about that 
PRIOR to purchase of the SuperStation?   Choices - hit myself in the head 
with a 2x4, or buy and install the SuperStation?   2x4 or SuperStation?   I 
should have shopped at Home Depot!

Thanks in advance for your response.

- Doug Turner, Nashville TN