IBM TR5 IDE ATAPI Firmware Difference List
TapeAlert Enabled
02/15/00

The TR58A51.EXE file extracts to build a DOS2000 bootable diskette image which contains FUP.EXE 
a utility to upgrade the TR5's EEPROM to the latest service code revision level.  FUP.TXT explains
the specifics of FUP's use.

The following firmware difference list documents the changes from the initial TR5 ATAPI firmware version 
8.43 to version 8.A51.  This version of firmware now supports TapeAlert.  It returns 8A51 for 
firmware version in the Inquiry data.


From version 8.43 to version 8A51

1. Drive fails with 03/11/03 Read Error during Space Reverse in Directory Partition.  FCR683

The drive fails with 03/11/03, Read Error, during a Space Reverse 1 Block following a Space to EOD 
command in the directory partition.  This sequence was found using a test script and does not fail when 
run in the data partition.  Seagate has not seen this problem with Application Software.

2. Drive reports wrong Block Address after Space Command following a Read Command  FCR706

The drive returns the wrong Block Address during the following test sequence:  write 800 block from 
BOT, Rewind, read 100 blocks, report position = 100, Space 500 Blocks, report position = 500 which is 
incorrect.  The drive now reports the correct block address.  This problem was found using a test script.  
Seagate has not seen this problem with Application software.

3. Drive reports 04/80/85 error during ramp down at BOT during Rewind  FCR709

The drive very intermittently reported a ramp down error 04/80/85, while performing a Rewind 
operation.  The drive was prematurely checking tape speed during breaking from high-speed rewind 
operations.  During breaking the drive now commands a slower tape speed, then delays prior to 
checking tape speed.

4. Drive reports wrong Media Density code with no tape present in drive  FCR710

The drive would report a Media Density code of 45hex without a tape in the drive.  The drive now 
correctly reports 47hex.

5. Drive now sleeps when idle  FCR719

The drive now executes a halt instruction when there is no host ATAPI activity.  The drive wakes up 
when there is host ATAPI activity or every 8 milliseconds from a watch dog timer.  This prevents the 
drive from repetitiously executing the same CPU instructions from the same small number of EEPROM 
locations when the drive is idle.  According to the EEPROM vendor, this can prevent EEPROM cell 
corruption in harsh, noisy supply voltage environments.


6. Drive now supports Write Multiple Filemarks  FCR721

The drive Write Filemarks command has been modified to support writing multiple filemarks with a 
single command.  Previously, according to QIC-157, ATAPI Tape drives only supported Write 0 or 
Write 1 filemark with a single command.  This change was required in order to pass the Novell testkit.

7. Drive Support for TapeAlert  FCR658

The drive now supports TapeAlert.