Backup exec 12 - cant inventory - error 0xe0008115

[chris...@gmail.com]

i am trying to setup a tape backup system, i have never used one
before; using backup exec 12 and a sony sdx-470v sata tape drive on
windows server 2003.

from what i understand, i must first 'inventory' the drive to check
the media. under devices two tape drives are listed; SONY1 (kernal
mode driver) & SONY2 (user mode driver) (is this normal?). when i try
'inventory' on SONY1 it appears under jobs but is stuck at
'initializing', i can refresh after a time and it appears as
'inventory', but it doesn't seem to be doing anything, i have left it
like that for over an hour with no change. when i try 'inventory' on
SONY2 i almost immediately receive 'final error 0xe0008115- physical
volume library drive or robot paused, offline, or disabled'.

i have tried restarting the services, uninstalling and reinstalling
the tape drive and software, making sure to use the symantec driver. i
couldn't find alot of information relating to my problem around the
internet.

under 'admin tools -> computer management -> storage -> removable
storage -> libraries -> 'sony tape drive' -> properties; 'state' is
listed as 'drive is not present in the library', not sure if that has
anything to do with my problem, or is my problem. i am new to these
things, not sure about all the details, any help would be appreciated.