3b1 Tape Backup horror story

[Kevin O'Gorman]

I am very frustrated.  My tape backup unit stopped being able to read
or write on my previously-formatted tapes, so I sent it to the AT&T
repair shop in San Leandro, CA.

They said they couldn't find anything wrong, but the tape I sent
along with the drive was no good.  Aside from that, they thought the
problem might be in the computer.

Well, they sent it back.  Since I have two computers, I tried it in
the other one.  No dice.

Now, this does not seem reasonable to me.  I have tried 8 of the 25
tapes that I own.  Two of them loaded (i.e. got to the first menu
of the Tape Operations stuff) one time, but they were empty tapes
and they have not been able to do that again.  These tapes have been
sitting in their plastic protective covers in a cool dark place in
a dry climate.  They cannot all have gone bad.  I have tried three
slots in two computers, and they cannot all have gone bad.

I have thied the tape diagnostics, and it refuses to use the tapes,
claiming that the tape is not formatted or has been damaged.  All my
tapes have been formatted and verified.  One tape could get damaged,
but the only way the rest could get damaged is if the drive is doing it.

I have a lot of money (for me) and a lot of work (for anyone) tied up
in the hardware, tapes, and the information I have on them.  Besides,
there is something very scary about this happening to the only 
plausible backup medium that I have.

I don't even know what to try at this point, I have no idea what or
who to try...   I could sure use some help, some sympathy, or some
ideas.

Anyone?????