UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

when you run the cpio, put a truss before it. something like `truss cpio .... ` maybe you'll see something that gives you a clue as it why its failing. also, you could learn how to read dumps with gdb.

Long shot, assuming you still have the core dump:

Find out which program failed.
file core

Look for error message towards the end of the core dump. This method does not always work. A debugger is better!
strings core | tail -100


Other ideas:

If it is a cron, check root mail for messages.

Check system logs and hardware logs for error messages at the time of failure.

Try "fuser" on the tape device in case something is still using it.

Try the find on its own with output redirected to /dev/null in case it is failing on a bad file and killing the pipeline.