Resolving Tape Alert errors and messages

Resources

Many tape drives and libraries support Tape Alert messages. These devices generate Tape Alert messages to report hardware errors, There are three categories of alerts:

• Information
• Warning
• Critical

Retrospect 7 and later supports Tape Alert in three ways:

• Displays a dialog box describing the nature of the error.
• Logs the error in the Activity Monitor’s Events tab.
• Logs the error in the Operations Log.

Resolution

You can enable/disable this behavior for any tape drive or library that is accessible from the backup computer and supports Tape Alert.

– Retrospect does not automatically enable Tape Alert for most tape drives. You can enable it manually as described below.

To enable/disable Tape Alert:

Click Configure>Devices from the navigation bar.

Click the Status tab.

Select a tape drive or library and click the Properties button in the Storage Devices window’s toolbar.

Click the Tape Alert button to enable or disable Tape Alert.

– If your tape drive does not support Tape Alert, the button is not available.

The Properties window updates to display your selection.

The tape drive has reported an unknown TapeAlert error. Please contact the tape drive manufacturer for more information regarding this error.

The tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape.

The tape drive is having problems writing data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the capacity of the tape.

Error Messages: Critical

"Your data is at risk:"

1. Copy any data you require from this tape.
2. Do not use this tape again.
3. Restart the operation with a different tape.

The tape is damaged or the drive is faulty. Contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is faulty:"

1. Use a good tape to test the drive.
2. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

You are trying to write to a write protected cartridge. Remove the write protection or use another tape.

"The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has snapped:"

1. Discard the old tape.
2. Restart the operation with a different tape.

"The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has snapped:"

1. Do not attempt to extract the tape cartridge.
2. Contact the tape drive supplier for help.

The operation has failed because the tape cartridge was manually ejected while the tape drive was actively writing or reading.

"The tape drive needs cleaning:"

1. If the operation has stopped, eject the tape and clean the drive.
2. If the operation has not stopped, wait for it to finish and then clean the drive.

Check the tape drive users manual for device specific cleaning instructions.

"The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive has worn out:"

1. Discard the worn out cleaning cartridge.
2. Wait for the current operation to finish.
3. Then use a new cleaning cartridge.

"The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive was an invalid type:"

1. Do not use this cleaning cartridge in this drive.
2. Wait for the current operation to finish.
3. Then use a valid cleaning cartridge.

"The tape drive has a hardware fault:"

1. Eject the tape or magazine.
2. Reset the drive. .Restart the operation.

"The tape drive has a hardware fault:"

1. Turn the tape drive off and then on again.
2. Restart the operation.
3. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The operation has failed:"

1. Eject the tape or magazine.
2. Insert the tape or magazine again.
3. Restart the operation.

A hardware failure of the tape drive is predicted. Contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The tape just unloaded could not write its system area successfully:"

1. Copy data to another tape cartridge.
2. Discard the old cartridge.

"The tape system area could not be read successfully at load time:"

1. Copy data to another tape cartridge.

"The start of data could not be found on the tape:"

1. Check that you are using the correct format tape.
2. Discard the tape or return the tape to your supplier.

"The operation has failed because the media cannot be loaded and threaded."

1. Remove the cartridge, inspect it as specified in the product manual, and retry the operation.
2. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The operation has failed because the media cannot be unloaded:"

1. Do not attempt to extract the tape cartridge.
2. Contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The tape drive has a problem with the automation interface:"

1. Check the power to the automation system.
2. Check the cables and cable connections.
3. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

Error Messages: Warning

"The tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape."

"The tape drive is having problems writing data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the capacity of the tape."

"The operation has stopped because an error has occurred while reading or writing data which the drive cannot correct."

"The tape cartridge has reached the end of its calculated useful life:"

1. Copy any data you need to another tape.
2. Discard the old tape.

"The cartridge is not data-grade. Any data you write to the tape is at risk. Replace the cartridge with a data-grade tape."

"The memory in the tape cartridge has failed, which reduces performance. Do not use the cartridge for further write operations"

"You have loaded a cartridge of a type that is read-only in this drive. The cartridge will appear as write protected."

"The tape directory on the tape cartridge has been corrupted. File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data on the cartridge."

"The tape drive is due for routine cleaning:"

1. Wait for the current operation to finish.
2. Then use a cleaning cartridge.

Check the tape drive users manual for device specific cleaning instructions.

"The tape drive has requested a retension operation."

"A redundant interface port on the tape drive has failed"

"A tape drive cooling fan has failed."

"A redundant power supply has failed inside the tape drive enclosure."

"Check the enclosure users manual for instructions on replacing the failed power supply."

"The tape drive power consumption is outside the specified range."

"Preventive maintenance of the tape drive is required. Check the tape drive users manual for device specific preventive maintenance tasks or contact the tape drive supplier for help."

"The tape drive has a problem with the application client interface:"

1. Check the cables and cable connections.
2. Restart the operation.

"The firmware download has failed because you have tried to use the incorrect firmware for this tape drive. Obtain the correct firmware and try again."

"Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified humidity range."

"Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified temperature range."

"The voltage supply to the tape drive is outside the specified range."

"The tape drive may have a hardware fault. Run extended diagnostics to verify and diagnose the problem. Check the tape drive users manual for device specific instructions on running extended diagnostic tests."

"Media statistics have been lost at some time in the past."

"The tape directory on the tape cartridge just unloaded has been corrupted. File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data."

"The tape drive has reset itself due to a detected firmware fault. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help."

"The tape drive has reset itself due to a detected firmware fault."

If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

Error Messages: Informational

"The tape drive has reported an unknown TapeAlert error (%d). Please contact the tape drive manufacturer for more information regarding this error."

*"You cannot eject the cartridge because the tape drive is in use. Wait until the operation is complete before ejecting the cartridge.

"The tape in the drive is a cleaning cartridge."

"You have tried to load a cartridge of a type that is not supported by this drive."

"The tape cartridge is nearing the end of its calculated life."

It is recommended that you:

1. Use another tape cartridge for your next backup.
2. Store this tape cartridge in a safe place in case you need to restore data from it.

Obsolete

"The changer mechanism is having difficulty communicating with the tape drive:"

1. Turn the autoloader off then on.
2. Restart the operation.
3. If a problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"A tape has been left in the autoloader by a previous hardware fault:"

1. Insert an empty magazine to clear the fault.
2. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again.
3. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

There is a problem with the autoloader mechanism.

"The operation has failed because the autoloader door is open:"

1. Clear any obstructions from the autoloader door.
2. Eject the magazine and then insert it again.
3. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again.
4. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

"The autoloader has a hardware fault:"

1. Turn the autoloader off and then on again.
2. Restart the operation.
3. If the problem persists, contact the tape drive supplier for help.

Check the autoloader users manual for device specific instructions on turning the device power on and off.

"The autoloader cannot operate without the magazine:"

1. Insert the magazine into the autoloader.
2. Restart the operation.

A hardware failure of the changer mechanism is predicted. Contact the tape drive supplier for help.

Last Update: February 13, 2012