Ejecting The Magazine - HP J3278B - SureStore CD-ROM Server/Tower 7 NAS Server Administrator's Manual

Loading And Unloading, Autoloader
file:///D|/ADMIN_~1/eng/tape/load_a.htm (3 of 4) [5/3/2000 3:33:47 PM]
The drive mechanism threads the tape and checks the tape format (DDS or
audio). If the tape is blank, the drive leaves the tape at BOT (Beginning of
Tape) and awaits the next command.
If the tape is in DDS format and is write-enabled, the drive performs write and
read tests. If the error rate is high, the Operator Attention Required light
illuminates and an error message may appear on the front panel display.
The drive reads the tape log, which contains details of the history of the tape.
The drive rewinds to BOP (Beginning of Partition) and goes online, awaiting a
command from the host.
Depending on whether the host computer instructed the autoloader to load a cartridge
or you pressed the Load Cartridge button, the autoloader goes into one of two modes of
operation: random mode, where movement of cartridges is controlled by the backup
software, or stacker mode, where cartridges are loaded in numerical order from the
magazine. For more information, see

Ejecting the Magazine

To eject a magazine, press the Eject button.
The autoloader ejects the magazine. However, if one of the cartridges is still in the
drive mechanism when you press the Eject button, the autoloader performs the
following sequence of actions first:
The drive rewinds the tape and updates the tape log (unless the cartridge is
write-protected). It then ejects the cartridge from the drive mechanism.
The changer mechanism replaces the cartridge in the magazine.
The magazine is ejected.
Note: It is possible for the host computer to disable the Eject button by sending a
PREVENT MEDIA REMOVAL command via SCSI. This will remain in force until
either the host sends an ALLOW MEDIA REMOVAL command or the autoloader is
reset or power-cycled.
Forcing Ejection
If you press the Eject button when the autoloader is busy, it may be a long time before
the autoloader will respond to the request because it will finish the task it is performing
first. This ensures that the task is terminated in a controlled manner and no data is lost.
Autoloader Modes of Operation.