Problems with your Tape Drive

[HP SURESTORE DAT USER'S GUIDE]

Problems with Your Tape Drive

[SUPPORT]

Tape drive does not power up.

Computer does not recognize the tape drive.

You cannot back up or restore.

Media Caution (Clean) light flashes amber.

Media Caution (Clean) or Operator Attention light shows steady amber.

A cartridge is jammed in the drive mechanism.

For further troubleshooting information, use HP Tape Tools or refer to our Customer Support web site: http://www.hp.com/support/dds_troubleshooting

Tape Drive Does Not Power Up
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
The power cable may not be connected to the tape drive or autoloader properly.	For an external device, check that the power switch is on. For either an internal or external drive, make sure that the power cable is firmly connected. If it is, the device has probably failed. Call for service.

Computer Does Not Recognize Tape Drive
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
For an external device, the tape device, or autoloader may have been switched on after the computer was booted up. The computer checks for SCSI devices only at power-on.	Switch on the tape drive, then switch the computer off and then on again.

You Cannot Back Up or Restore
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
The appropriate driver software for the tape drive or autoloader may not be installed.	Check that a driver has been installed that supports both your HP SureStore DAT drive and your backup software. (See your software documentation for details.) If not, install the appropriate driver.
The SCSI connection may be loose.	Check that all expansion boards are fully seated and the SCSI cable is connected properly. Run TapeAssure to determine whether the SCSI controller is functioning properly.
The SCSI bus may not be properly terminated.	Check that the SCSI terminator is installed and secure. The SCSI bus must be terminated at both ends. Most internal cables will have a terminator plug on the end of the cable farthest from the SCSI controller. If there are no external devices, the SCSI bus must be terminated on the SCSI host adapter or motherboard. If there are external devices, the last device in the external chain must be terminated properly.
The appropriate ASPI driver for your SCSI controller may not be installed.	When you boot up the computer, check for error messages that refer to SCSI devices or ASPI drivers. Run TapeAssure to determine whether the SCSI board is functioning properly. If it is not, make sure that the correct ASPI driver for your SCSI controller is installed.
The tape drive's SCSI ID may conflict with another device.	Make sure that the tape drive SCSI ID is not the same as that of any other device attached to the same SCSI controller. You can run TapeAssure to check the SCSI IDs of attached devices.
Your backup software may have encountered a problem.	Refer to the user documentation for your backup software. This should contain a list of error conditions and suggested remedies.
The tape cartridge may be worn out or defective.	Try using a different cartridge. If you have been using the same cartridge for a long time, copy the data on it to a new cartridge and discard the old one.
The operator may not know how to use your backup application, especially if the operator is new or has been away from the job for a while.	Ask the person to repeat the operation while you watch, to check that they are not omitting some vital step.
The cartridge may not be the correct format.	Check that you are using a DDS cartridge, not a Digital Audio Tape (DAT) cartridge. If you are using a different brand of cartridge, it may not be of sufficient quality. See Choosing Cartridges.
The drive may be used in an unsuitable location or outside its operating limits. If it is unusually hot, cold, damp, dry, or dusty, the tape drive may not perform well.	Check the environmental conditions against the drive's specified limits. If they are outside the limits, move the drive to a more suitable site.
	Clean the tape heads and try the operation again.
A new operating system or upgrade may have been installed without the correct drivers for the tape drive.	Install the correct driver software for the operating system and tape drive.

Media Caution (Clean) Light Flashes Amber
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
The tape heads may be dirty.	Clean the tape heads with the cleaning cartridge. If you are using a different brand of cartridge, it may not be of sufficient quality and is causing high error rates. See Choosing Cartridges.
The cartridge may be worn out or defective.	Try using a different cartridge. If you have been using the same cartridge for a long time, copy the data on it to a new cartridge and discard the old one.

Media Caution (Clean) or Operator Attention Light Shows Steady Amber
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
This is the error condition signal. There may be a hard error on the tape drive.	Try powering the tape drive off and then on again. If the error condition signal still shows, call for service. For an autoloader, note any message shown on the front panel display.

A Cartridge is Jammed in the Drive Mechanism
Possible Cause	Potential Solution
A label may be poorly stuck on the cartridge or in the wrong place, causing it to jam.	Try forcing ejection. See the Forcing Ejection topic for a drive or autoloader. If this fails, call for service.