Abstract: Recovering from embedded errors from writing data to streaming media is described. An intent of an application to write data to a first streaming medium is identified. A copy of the data is written to an alternative storage device concurrent with the application writing the data to the first streaming medium. A determination is made whether an embedded error occurred while writing the data to the first streaming medium. The copy of the data is written from the alternative storage device to a second streaming medium in response to a determination that the embedded error occurred while writing the data to the first streaming medium.

Abstract: An improved method for operating a digital data processing apparatus to provide for fault-tolerant actuation of a functional unit in response to an actuation request includes the steps of: providing the functional unit with a switching section that responds to application of plural switching signals for activating the functional unit; providing first and second processing elements, each normally responding to an actuation request for generating a first set of switching signals, the first set of switching signals including at least one, but not all, of the plural switching signals; outputting the first set of switching signals generated by the first processing element for application to the switching section; synchronizing the first and second processing elements by comparing, with the second processing element, the first set of switching signals generated thereby with those output by the first processing element; generating, after synchronization, with each of the first and second processing elements, a secon