[geeks] Formatting or Wiping a Tape

[James Sharp]

>     Dave> On March 23, Ron 'The InSaNe OnE' Rosson wrote:
>     >> Well I finally go my tape drive hooked up to my U1. The person who gave
>     >> it to me also thru in some used tapes. The problem is under Solaris I
>     >> am not sure how to wipe or format the tapes so I can use them to back
>     >> up data.
>
>     Dave>   Most tapes don't get "formatted" per se.  You didn't mention what
>     Dave> kind of tape drive you're using, but for some, a bulk eraser works
>     Dave> well.  What sort of drive is it?
>
>
> Where is Mr. Wargo when you need him... I got the drive from him.
>

Wouldn't it be something as simple as

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/tapedrive bs=32k count=numberofblocksontape