Xebit 8MM with SCSI tape problems

[Ed Haggerty]

I have the following problem,

Running a Sun 3/280 with a Shoebox as the system disk (don't laugh), a
SCSI 1/4" tape and an Xebite 8MM tape.  The shoebox has sd0 and st0 in it
and the 8MM is st1.  The terminating resistor is in the shoebox, (hardest
to get to).  The cable configuration is from the SCSI controller to the
8MM and then on to the shoebox.  

The problem is the SCSI tape will not execute an autoload on power up or
when a tape is inserted.  If the 8MM is removed from the line , the SCSI
tape works properly.  

This problem occures when UNIX is running and at power up. (no O/S
running).

This leads me to the conculsion that the 8MM box is holding something
either high or low, but not allowing it to change at power up and tape
insertion.

If the 8MM is placed after the Shoebox (with the terminator) the system
fails to boot properly.  

I did not try the configuration of the 8MM having the terminator and being
physically at the end of the SCSI chain.


The question is :  Has any one made this configuration work and how.


Thanks for any and all answers.


Ed Haggerty  {..lgnp1!sylvman!root}         215-364-8117
Sylvest Management System
1300 Industrial Blvd
Southampton, Pa. 18966