This site is a great resource. Thanks for maintaining it.

Here's my issue: I've got a Rev 9.34 CMI Series III and over the last while, it has exhibited increasing difficulites reading Tahiti II optical cartridges (MagOptix T2, Firmware Rev: B1.6, SCSI ID 3).

When I boot up with a previously formatted cartridge in the Tahiti, the CMI system recognizes the drive but gives me an "Error #246 - Device Not Ready" message. When I boot up and then insert a cartridge, I get the same "Device Not Ready" message (I can't access /sc30 in shell either way).

No SCSI ID conflicts present, SCSI terminated properly. I have tried different optical cartridges, tried another Tahiti II drive, cleaned cartridges and cleaned drives. Same results.

Interestingly, when I hook up a 2gB Jaz drive, the identical thing happens (device identified on boot-up, Error #246 - Device Not Ready" message). I can attach this unit to my MFX3 or my Akai S5000's and format no problem, so I know that both drive and media are good.

I have a feeling that ther is a syntax problem when I attempt to format the Jaz on the CMI. If someone could confirm the correct command string for formatting a 2gB Jazz drive, I would appreciate it. Andrew did write a routine for formatting opticals but unfortunately I don't have it on my current machine.

At the time that Andrew intalled the MagOptix setup during a studio overhaul those many years ago, I could change disks as I worked. At some point afterwards, I could no longer do this but had to restart to change disks. Felt a bit weird at the time. Now the CMI doesn't seem able to see the optical cartridges at all.

While it is possible for me to imagine that all my optical disks or that both my drives are bad, I'm not quite ready to accept that yet. Anyone have suggestions?

Thanks,
John Tucker,
Toasty Trails Inc.