1-22 TS3400 Tape Library Maintenance Information
4 Media Set for any unrecoverable read, write, or 
positioning error that is due to faulty 
media. The flag is cleared when the 
cartridge is removed from the drive.
Discard the media.
5 Read failure Set for any unrecoverable read error 
where the isolation is uncertain and the 
failure could be faulty media or drive 
hardware. The flag is cleared when the 
cartridge is removed from the drive.
Discard the media.
Run drive diagnostic tests.
6 Write failure Set for any unrecoverable write or 
positioning error where isolation is 
uncertain and failure could be faulty 
media or drive hardware. The flag is 
cleared when the cartridge is removed 
from the drive.
Discard the media.
Run drive diagnostic tests.
7 Media life Set when the tape cartridge reached its 
end of life (EOL).
Copy the data to another tape cartridge.
Discard the old (EOL) tape.
8 Not data grade Set when the tape cartridge is not 
data-grade. Any data that you back up 
to the tape is at risk. The flag is set when 
severe servo problems are detected 
while loading a cartridge.
Discard the media.
9 Write protect Set when the tape drive detects that the 
tape cartridge is physically 
write-protected and the device driver 
sees a write command. The flag is 
cleared when the cartridge is removed 
from the drive.
Set the write-protect switch on the 
cartridge to OFF. Ensure that the 
cartridge is not logically protected.
10 No removal Set when an unload is attempted and 
SCSI Prevent Media Removal is set to 
ON. The flag is cleared when the 
cartridge is removed from the drive.
If the error is an operator error, no action 
is required; if the error is a customer 
software error, see the documentation for 
your server’s operating system.
11 Cleaning media Set when a cleaning cartridge is loaded 
into the drive.
None. Status only.
12 Unsupported format Set when a non-supported cartridge 
type is loaded into the drive. It is 
cleared when the cartridge is removed 
from the drive. Can also be caused by 
FMR cartridge loaded for Read/Write 
or a cartridge that is formatted for a 
3592 tape drive but loaded in an 
emulated drive.
Remove the invalid cartridge.
14 Unrecoverable snapped 
tape
Set when the tape in the drive snapped. 
The operator cannot remove the tape.
Remove the cartridge from the drive. See 
“Removing a Cartridge from a Drive 
Manually” on page 9-45.
15 Memory chip in 
cartridge
Set when the memory in the tape 
cartridge failed.
Do not use the cartridge for further 
backup operation.
16 Forced eject Set when a tape cartridge was manually 
removed while reading and writing. It 
is cleared when a cartridge is loaded 
into the drive.
None. Status only.
Table 1-6. TapeAlert flags supported by the 3592 tape drives (continued)
Flag 
Number
Flag Name Description Action Required