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Troubleshooting: Dell™ PowerVault™ 124T
Before Contacting Customer Support
Operator Control Panel Error Display
Checking For Errors
Autoloader Logs
TapeAlert Logs
Returning the Autoloader for Service
Before Contacting Customer Support
Errors that you may experience with your autoloader can range from simple connection problems to more complex hardware failure. Before you return your autoloader, you may be able to fix the problem yourself by following some basic troubleshooting procedures.
Other than drive cleaning, there is no recommended routine maintenance of the Dell PowerVault 124T autoloader.
The operator control panel located at the front of the autoloader provides some troubleshooting capabilities, but is limited. The Remote Management Unit provides more detailed information about the present state of the autoloader and past performance, and is more helpful for troubleshooting errors.
NOTICE: If you find that you must power cycle the autoloader, do not turn the power back on for at least 10 seconds after powering down. This allows time for the power supply to completely discharge and ensure a complete system reset. If time is not allowed for the discharge, the system may fail to boot properly and will display a blank LCD screen. Power cycle again, waiting at least 10 seconds, to clear the problem.
The following table describes the probable cause and suggested action for problems that you may encounter.
Table 1: Basic Troubleshooting
Problem | Probable Cause | Suggested Action | |
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The front panel does not display | The connection to the LCD has failed. | • | Use the Remote Management Unit to troubleshoot error. |
information. |
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Error messages appear on the | An error has occurred. | • | Refer to Front Panel Error Display. |
front panel LCD display. |
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The autoloader is operating | The autoloader, system hardware, or | • | Go to support.dell.com for configuration requirements. |
slowly. | host backup software is incorrectly |
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| configured. |
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The autoloader does not turn on. | The power cable is defective or the | • | Check all outlets and power cables for proper connection. |
| power source is malfunctioning. The |
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| power switch at the back of the | • | Check the power switch at the back of the autoloader. |
| autoloader is not turned on. | ||
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| |
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| • | Contact support.dell.com. |
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The front panel does not display | A momentary power interruption | • | On the front panel, press and hold the power switch for 15 seconds, then |
information, but light indicators | allowed the autoloader to power off, |
| turn the rear power switch off. Wait 60 seconds and turn the rear power |
above the front panel are turned | then back on prior to the power supply |
| switch back on. |
on. | being fully discharged. |
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| • | Contact support.dell.com. |
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The autoloader does not | A problem within the SCSI cabling path | • | Verify that the SCSI cables are connected to the rear of the autoloader |
communicate with the host | is preventing communication. |
| and that the correct LVD host controller card is installed. |
system through the SCSI bus. |
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| • | Verify that the SCSI cables are not damaged or crimped and the total SCSI |
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| cable length is not exceeding the maximum required length. |
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| • | Verify that a LVD SCSI terminator is attached to both the first and last |
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| SCSI device on the SCSI bus. |
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| • | Verify that the autoloader SCSI ID is set to a unique SCSI ID that is not |
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| used by any other SCSI device on the same SCSI bus. |
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| • | Verify that the host bus adapter is supported for use with the Dell |
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| PowerVault 124T on support.dell.com. |
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| • | Issue an Autoloader Reset either by using the Remote Management Unit |
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| Diagnostic page or by turning off power from the front panel. |
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| • | Contact support.dell.com. |
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The tape drive responds on the | A system configuration problem is | • | If the SCSI ID is unique, check SCSI cable and terminator connections. |