tar in ultrix 1.2 on microvax-II

[Frank Webster]

We are running ultrix 1.2 on a microvax-II, and we have experienced
numerous problem with tar.  First, tar creates a `hung process' (in D
status) for what i believe are `soft errors' (i.e. media errors).
The only way to recover from the error is reboot the system as the
`hung process' cannot be killed.  Second, the tape being written to
when the `hang' occurrs cannot be appended to.  Third, dec thinks this
is a hardware error, but replacing both the drive and controller does
not solve the problem.  At the present time, our TK50 is essentially
unusable.

My questions are: 1) has anyone else encountered and solved these problems,
2) are the later versions of ultrix including tar with a better error handler,
3) is this a hard ware or software problem?  

frank webster (james franck institute/ university of chicago)
webster at silly.uchicago.edu