Travan Rescue - Old tapes, new life.

About

Why we built this

Our founder cataloged a university closet of Travan tapes after a server decommission. The first lesson: most ‘dead’ tapes were simply mismatched with the wrong drives or software. After weeks of chasing contradictory advice, a repeatable process emerged. We documented formats, imaged safely, and restored files others had written off. That guide grew into this site. Today, we maintain compatibility charts, write plain‑language tutorials, and connect users with trusted labs. Our mission is simple: make rescuing legacy backups predictable, affordable, and fast.

Features

What We Offer

Precise Travan and QIC format fingerprinting

Our guided checks map cartridge markings, capacity, and drive behavior to known QIC families. With this fingerprint, you avoid destructive commands and choose the right recovery workflow the first time.

Drive and controller compatibility lookups

We maintain an actively updated chart of drives, SCSI/IDE/parallel controllers, and Windows/Linux versions. This reduces dead ends and improves first‑attempt reads on stable hardware setups.

DIY step-by-step recovery playbooks

From catalog rebuilds to file extraction, each playbook includes preflight checks, safe imaging, and verification steps. You’ll know exactly what to expect at each stage and when to stop.

Vetted mail‑in lab referrals

We brief partners on your media and goals so you receive realistic timelines and costs. You’ll also get shipping instructions that minimize mechanical stress and contamination risk.

Cost and timeline comparison tool

Estimate hours, success likelihood, and total spend before you commit. The tool highlights break‑even points where professional lab work beats repeated DIY retries.

Cloud migration checklists

Turn final exports into organized folders with checksum verification. Then choose partner cloud options and retention policies so you never repeat this rescue again.

Rapid triage and response

Short forms and clear uploads let us review your case quickly. Most visitors start a verified path within hours, avoiding harmful tinkering that can worsen damage.

Process

How It Works

1

Answer a 2‑minute triage

Upload cartridge photos and tell us what you tried. Within 1–3 hours, you’ll receive a clear next step and risk profile. Relief starts with certainty, not guesswork.

2

Confirm your route

We map you to a DIY playbook or a vetted lab quote within the same business day. You’ll see expected effort, costs, and timelines so you can decide confidently.

3

Recover and verify

Follow step‑by‑step instructions or ship with protective packing. Most cases yield first verified files within 2–5 days, replacing anxiety with tangible progress.

4

Migrate and future‑proof

Organize results and move them to a cloud backup in under a week. You’ll end with documented checksums and one less legacy risk on your list.

Pricing

DIY Path (Free)

$0

Self‑guided recovery with our charts and playbooks. Ideal when you have a working drive and time.

✓ Drive and media compatibility lookups
✓ Step‑by‑step recovery playbooks
✓ Cloud migration checklist
✓ Affiliate discounts where available
✓ Email response within one business day

Get Started

⭐ Most Popular

Assisted Triage Call

$59

A 30‑minute screen share to review your setup and pick the fastest, safest route.

✓ Live format and risk assessment
✓ Custom next steps and decision tree
✓ Pre‑written shipping instructions if mailing
✓ Priority email for 7 days
✓ Typical first files in 2–5 days

Get Started

Handled For You

$0 + partner fees

We coordinate a vetted lab referral and keep you updated. You pay the lab directly.

✓ Shortlist of matched labs
✓ Quote expectations and timelines
✓ Packaging and insurance checklist
✓ Progress check‑ins until delivery
✓ Post‑recovery cloud setup guidance

Get Started

Testimonials

What People Say

“

Their format check saved us from reformatting a good tape. We recovered 94% of a 1997 set and had TIFFs indexed in three days. The lab referral came with a realistic quote and packing checklist.

L

L. Morgan

Digital Archivist

“

I spent 6 hours fighting drivers. Their chart pointed to a working controller and OS in 20 minutes. Two cartridges produced 3,100 files, and we moved them into Backblaze the same week.

R

R. Diaz

IT Generalist

“

The DIY playbook was specific—no fluff. We imaged three tapes, then sent the worst one to a partner lab. Turnaround was 4 days, and we restored course materials dating to 2001.

A

A. Patel

Systems Librarian

“

I thought the tape was blank. Their triage explained the mismatch and pointed me to a trial of recovery software. We pulled 2.6 GB of photos and letters—priceless.

S

S. Nguyen

Family Historian

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you guarantee my data will be recovered?

No one can guarantee recovery. Many issues are fixable with correct drives and software, but some tapes have mechanical or binder failures. We help you choose a route with the best odds and avoid actions that reduce those odds. Our stats describe typical outcomes, not promises.

Why pay for an Assisted Triage Call when forums are free?

Free advice is scattered and often contradictory. In 30 minutes, we narrow your exact QIC family, confirm hardware and OS choices, and give a stepwise plan. Most callers avoid multiple dead ends and save several hours. If you’re confident and not time‑bound, our free guides may be enough.

Are my tapes and data secure with partner labs?

We refer to labs that document chain of custody and provide written scopes. You’ll ship directly to the lab and pay them, not us. We never take ownership of your media. If privacy is paramount, the DIY path keeps everything in‑house.

Is this right for me?

Yes if you hold Travan/QIC backups and want a clear, low‑risk plan. It might NOT be for you if you expect a guaranteed result, prefer unstructured tinkering, or want same‑day on‑site service. We focus on predictable, documented workflows and vetted partners.

What does the “Handled For Laur danSaving Failure/logging? ou” price mean?

What does the “Handled For You NBMT price mean?

Which recovery software do you recommend?

Recommendations depend on your backup lineage and goals. In our guides, we outline when to try specific vendors and link to trials. We may earn affiliate commissions from providers like Stellar, EaseUS, or similar, but we only recommend tools appropriate for your case.

How fast will I get a response?

During business hours, we typically reply within 1–3 hours. After-hours requests receive a response the next morning. If you book an Assisted Triage Call, you can often meet the same day, depending on availability.

Can I use a USB‑to‑parallel adapter with a QIC drive?

Usually not reliably. Many adapters do not support the timing requirements legacy drives need. Our compatibility chart lists known‑good controller and OS combinations to reduce frustration and protect your media.

What if my tape squeals or sticks?

Stop and do not retry. Squealing often signals binder or lubrication issues. We’ll recommend cleaning or lab evaluation. Repeated attempts can worsen damage; safe packaging and a quick lab assessment protect your odds.

Resources