HP StoreEver DAT Tape Drives - Manual (Page 57)

11 Troubleshooting
Many users can use HP Library & Tape Tools to help them diagnose problems, see
“ Diagnostic tools ” on page 55. We also recommend the detailed troubleshooting guide at
http://www.hp.com/go/support for comprehensive troubleshooting information.
General Procedure
If a problem occurs, the first step is to try to establish whether the problem lies with the cartridge, the
drive, the host computer and connections, or the way the system is being operated.
Has the system just been installed?
There could be an installation problem:
1. Check through the information in the relevant installation chapter of this guide.
2. Check the power connectors.
3. Is the SCSI ID correctly set? Is there a SCSI system conflict? Has the SCSI bus been correctly
terminated? See also “ SCSI configuration guide ” on page 63.
4. Check the environmental conditions against the specified limits.
5. Are appropriate drivers and application software installed on the host?
Are you using new cartridges or a different brand of cartridge? Have you been using the particular
cartridge for a very long time?
The problem could lie with the cartridge:
1. Check through “ Use the correct media ” on page 47.
2. Check that you are using a DDS-labeled cartridge—not a DAT cartridge.
3. Use the correct media type, for example:
• DAT 160 media with DAT 160 drives.
• DAT 72 media with DAT 72 drives.
• DDS-4 media with DAT 40 drives.
Remember that although tape drives may be able to read earlier-format media, see
Table 5 on page 47, the media itself is not backward-compatible
• DAT 160 media will be ejected by all drives, other than DAT 160 drive
4. Has the cartridge been write-protected, see “ Write-protecting cartridges ” on page 48?
5. Clean the tape heads with the cleaning cartridge, see “ Cleaning cartridges ” on page 48. Be sure to
use the correct cleaning cartridge.
• DAT 160 cleaning cartridges (C8015A) with DAT 160 tape drives.
• Standard cleaning cartridges (C5709A) with all other HP StorageWorks DAT tape drives
6. Try the operation again.
7. If the problem still occurs, try using a different cartridge.
8. If the problem is still there, the problem probably lies with the drive or the host computer.
Has the drive been moved recently? Have any cables been disconnected and reconnected? Has the
environment changed—unusually hot, cold, damp or dry? Has there been dust or dirt near the drive.
Have reasonable precautions against static been taken?
DAT SCSI Tape Drives 57