Problem Solution
Cartridge failing to load
and unload properly
Note:
The tape drive must rewind the tape before it is ejected. The amount of time for this procedure can vary, depending on how the tape was
used. See Drive information.
The tape drive performs media optimization on the first load of a cartridge. The amount of time for this procedure can vary. See Drive
information.
Follow these instructions for removing tape from the tape drive:
1. Stop all host activity.
2. Check drive status by using any of the following methods:
SCD display
ITDT
Indicator lights on a library if the drive is installed in a library
3. If the drive is in the middle of performing an operation, wait until the drive is idle before attempting any further steps.
4. Attempt to unload the cartridge.
5. Power down the drive.
6. Disconnect the host cable from the drive.
7. Power on the drive, and wait until the tape drive is idle or ready.
8. Attempt to unload the cartridge.
Follow these steps to inspect a cartridge for damage:
1. Check that the leader pin is attached and properly seated by opening the cartridge door and observing the pin's placement. See
Repositioning a leader pin.
2. Inspect the cartridge case, the cartridge door, and the write-protect switch for damage.
3. Inspect the rear of the cartridge (the part that you load first into the tape load compartment) and ensure that there are no gaps in the
seam of the cartridge case. See 1 in Figure 1 and 4 in Figure 2.. If there are gaps, the leader pin might be dislodged. Go to
Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin.
4. Try loading or unloading another tape cartridge.
If it fails, contact your service representative for more problem determination.
If it is successful, discard the cartridge that originally failed.
Notes:
If a damaged or mishandled cartridge is the problem, see Handling the cartridges for instructions about handling the media. It is
possible that your other cartridges might also be damaged.
If your cartridge does not eject properly, contact your service representative. IBM service personnel must go to Information for trained
service personnel.
Media-related issues To resolve problems that are related to media, the drive's firmware includes following features:
Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test that verifies whether a suspect cartridge and its magnetic tape are acceptable for use.
Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS) to help with isolating failures between media and hardware. To determine the cause of
failure, SARS uses the cartridge performance history that is saved in the cartridge memory (CM) and the drive performance history that
is kept in the drive's VPD (Vital Product Data) area in NVRAM. Any failures that SARS detects are reported as TapeAlert flags on the
server. See IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI Reference.
Attention: If you insert the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge into another manufacturer's drive, the SARS data in the cartridge memory
might become lost or invalid.
If you encounter a media-related problem, refer to Function code E: Test cartridge & media.
Tape is stuck in drive Try the following steps to remove the stuck tape.
Note: The tape drive must rewind the tape before it’s ejected. This procedure can take up to ten minutes or more, depending on how much
tape must be rewound. When the tape is rewound, the eject cycle takes fewer than 16 seconds.
The Ready light flashes while the tape rewinds. Wait for the tape to finish rewinding before another operation is attempted.
1. Stop all Host Activity.
2. Attempt to unload or move the cartridge to a slot.
3. Power down the library, disconnect the cable from the drive, power on the library, and wait until the tape drive is idle or ready. Attempt
to Move Cartridge to Slot.
4. Attempt a Eject Cartridge from Drive as an emergency unload operation.
Important: Inspect the tape cartridge that was stuck. Damage or misplaced labels on the cartridge might cause the load/unload failure.
Discard any tape cartridge that is found to have issues.
A cartridge that is
recently imported from
a different environment
is causing issues
Media that is moved from one environment to another can cause issues until it acclimates to the new conditions. A cartridge must be
acclimated for at least 24 hours before it’s used, particularly if it was stored at a substantially different temperature or level of humidity than
the device.
Cleaning or data
cartridge incompatible
with drive
Check the event log to see which cartridge is incompatible.
Make sure that you’re using data and cleaning cartridges that are compatible with the drive and model of your device.
Make sure that you’re using the correct cartridge type for the operation. The device automatically unloads incompatible cartridges, and
the Attention LED flashes.
Export the media.
Table 3. Communication problems
Problem Solutions
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