3b1 tape drive blues

[Rex Fowler]

I just purchased a tape drive and controller for my 3b1.  When
I run the tape diagnostics, the 3 tests for the controller pass but
then it says the tape drive isn't ready.  The tape drive is plugged
in, connected to the board, and a tape is inserted and the retension
phase seems to work ok.  Latch is closed also(pointing up).

The green light never comes on.  

Since the controller seems to be ok, does anybody know where I can
check for problems in the drive.  I already made sure the ribbon
cable was connected ok.  I noticed there were some jumpers in there too.
However, these should be ok since this tape drive was on a unix-pc
before I bought it.

I believe someone mentioned in the past that the controller was the
expensive/difficult to find item.  How much does the AT&T drive cost? 
Could I buy a cheaper similar one?

I tried booting and accessing the tape drive but I get the errors
still.  I loaded the driver but this is moot since it gives the error
when running the diagnostic diskette.

Any help? I have the worst freakin luck with this machine.

Thanks

-- 
Rex Fowler <rmfowler%texrex at cirr.com>
UUCP:  egsner!texrex!rmfowler