Resolving Media-Related Problems - IBM 200 GB LTO-2 User Manual

Resolving media-related problems

To resolve problems that are related to media, the LTO-2's firmware includes:
v Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic that verifies whether a suspect cartridge and
v Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS) to assist in isolating failures
If you encounter a media-related problem, use the following procedure:
Attention: When you run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic, data on the
suspect tape is overwritten. Use only a scratch data cartridge to run the test.
1. If possible, run the tape cartridge in a different tape drive. If the operation in
2. If the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic fails, replace the media. If it runs
3. If the tape drive diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive. If the tape drive
its magnetic tape are acceptable for use.
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 flash erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM). Any failures that SARS detects are
reported as TapeAlert flags on the server (see Appendix B, "TapeAlert flags", on
page 71).
Attention: If you insert the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge into another
manufacturer's tape drive, the SARS data in the cartridge memory may become
lost or invalid.
the other tape drive fails and 6 or 7 displays, replace the media. If the
operation succeeds, run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic (see Function
Code E in Table 5 on page 36).
successfully, clean the tape drive and run the tape drive diagnostics (see
"Cleaning the drive head" on page 35 and Function Code 1 in Table 5 on
page 36).
diagnostics run successfully, perform the operation that produced the initial
media error.
Chapter 5. Resolving problems
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