IBM 7226 Manual page 174

Error Code
6
Tape drive or media error. The tape drive determined that an error occurred, but it cannot isolate the error
to faulty hardware or to the tape cartridge. Ensure that the tape cartridge is the correct media type:
Ultrium-1, Ultrium-2, Ultrium-3, and Ultrium-4 tape cartridges are not supported in Ultrium-7 tape
drives.
Drive will not accept an expired Cleaning Cartridge.
Drive will not accept a WORM cartridge when running diagnostic tests in Maintenance Mode.
Drive will not write over existing data sets on a WORM cartridge. Ensure you are appending data sets
on WORM media rather than attempting to write over existing data sets.
If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, perform the following actions:
For Problems with Writing Data:
If the problem occurred while the tape drive was writing data to the tape, retry the operation with a
different cartridge:
If the operation succeeds, the original cartridge was defective. Copy data from the defective
cartridge and discard it.
If the operation fails and another tape drive is available, insert the cartridge into the other unit and
retry the operation.
If the operation fails and another tape drive is not available, insert a scratch data cartridge into the
unit and run the drive diagnostics.
If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run the drive diagnostics.
The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
For Problems with Reading Data:
If the problem occurred while the tape drive was reading data from the tape, perform one of the following
procedures:
If another tape drive is available, insert the cartridge into the other unit and retry the operation.
If another tape drive is not available, insert a scratch data cartridge into the unit and run the drive
diagnostics.
If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run the drive diagnostics.
If the operation fails, discard the defective cartridge.
If the operation succeeds, insert a scratch data cartridge into the first unit and run the drive
diagnostics.
If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
If the diagnostics succeed, the error was temporary.
If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
If the diagnostics succeed, discard the cartridge.
If the operation fails, discard the defective cartridge.
If the operation succeeds, insert a scratch data cartridge into the first unit and run the drive
diagnostics.
If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
If the diagnostics succeed, the error was temporary.
If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
If the diagnostics succeed, discard the cartridge.
Cause and Action
IBM 7226 Model 1U3 Storage Device Enclosure 163