mt eof + Travan = Operation not permitted

[meierrj@frc.com]

Debians,

	Thank you in advance for any help.
	
	I recently upgraded my Slackware 3.0 (linux 1.2.13) system to Debian
1.1 (linux 2.0.6) via InfoMagic's Dec 96 6 cd set, and was disappointed that
mt(1) limitations were not lifted.

Summary:How can I read and write multiple archives on a floppy tape?
	Is anyone writing multiple archives on a Travan floppy tape?

Problem:mt -f /dev/nrft0 eof
		reports "Operation not permitted"
	I understood that this was a limitation of linux 1.2.13 but not
		of linux 2.0.6.

	tar -cvf /dev/nrft0 .
	tar -cvf /dev/nrft0 ./.deleted
		writes the first file (archive of .)
		does not write the second file (archive of ./.deleted)

	400MB tapes have ~10%/400MB read error rate.
	I suspect that the Travan T-1000 motor is only marginally capable
		of handling the moment of inertia of 400MB tapes.

Workaround: (for past year with Slackware 3.0)
	Place only one archive on each tape.
	Use /dev/rft0.
	Use only 200MB tapes.

Config:	Dell Dimension XPS-133c
	Travan T-1000 400MB internal floppy tape controller
	Debian 1.1
	linux 2.0.6

						Any help appreciated,
-- 
						Robert Meier

	"Democracy is the most inefficient form of government,
        except for all the others."  -- Winston Churchill

FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.	Internet: meierrj@frc.com
Voice: 1-810-377-7469			Fax:      1-810-377-7363