HP Tape manual Troubleshooting

troubleshooting

technical documentation

http://www.hp.com/support/tape may have a later version

data protection

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home page before you start operation

cartridge care

cleaning

specifications

media compatibility diagnostics troubleshooting FAQs

SCSI configuration

UNIX configuration

ordering supplies

troubleshooting

contents of this section	related topics
help diagnosing the problem		HP Library & Tape Tools
general guidelines		TapeAlert
troubleshooting		firmware upgrades

problems with the host computer

computer does not boot up computer boots, but does not recognize drive

problems with the drive

the tape drive does not power up

all the LEDs on the front panel blink continually

errors for which you cannot find the cause problems during firmware update

drive does not go into firmware update mode

code update failed interpreting the LEDs

help diagnosing the problem

If you experience problems using your tape drive after installation, use HP Library

&Tape Tools to help you diagnose the problem. HP Library & Tape Tools is

provided free of charge and is invaluable for solving problems with both the SCSI bus and its attached devices. It will help resolve SCSI ID numbers and also run some tests that may help you isolate problems.

You will also find troubleshooting information on the HP Support web site.

The HP Support web site contains links to:

●www.hp.com/support/dlt1 takes you to HP’s Customer Care web site for a wide range of up-to-date information about your product

●www.hp.com/cpso-support/guide/psd/cscinfo.htm takes you to HP's worldwide call center numbers

general guidelines

If you experience problems when using the tape drive, you need to isolate the cause of the problem. For example, if you have just installed a new SCSI host bus adapter and your system will not start, the cause of the problem is likely to be the adapter.

When installing multiple items of hardware and software, we recommend that you install each in turn and restart the system each time. Similarly if you have already installed multiple devices and software and you experience problems, remove or uninstall each in turn to establish which one is causing the problem.

Remember that the system recognizes devices during boot-up. If you swap or connect a product when your system is running, you will need to reboot the system. Rebooting the system will reset devices and will often resolve problems. It is good practice to reboot every time you add a driver or install firmware.

troubleshooting

The first step in problem-solving is establishing whether the problem lies with the cartridge, the drive, the host computer and its connections, or with the way the system is being operated. If none of the following advice helps you solve the problem, refer to our World Wide Web Customer Care pages on www.hp.com/support/dlt1 or call for assistance.

problems with the host computer

Most modern SCSI host bus adapters locate and display attached devices when the system is booting up. If the device is not detected at this stage, there is probably a problem with the physical hardware: cables, termination, connections, power or the HBA itself. Refer to the SCSI topic for a detailed discussion of SCSI IDs, termination and cabling.

If your drive is found on system boot up but cannot be found in the operating system, this is more likely to be a software problem.

computer does not boot up

Possible cause	Potential solution
You have connected the tape drive	Make sure that each device on the SCSI
to an existing SCSI bus that has	bus has a unique ID. We recommend that
other devices connected to it and	the HP Surestore DLT1 tape drive is
the SCSI address of your HP	connected to a dedicated host bus
Surestore DLT1 drive is identical to	adapter. Do not connect the drive to a disk
the address used by another	RAID controller as this is not supported.
device.
You have installed an additional	Remove the new host bus adapter and
SCSI host bus adapter and its	check the server documentation
resources are clashing with an
existing adapter.
You have disconnected the power	Check that the cables to all devices are
or SCSI cable from the computer’s	firmly connected.
boot disk during the drive
installation process.

computer boots, but does not recognize the tape drive

Possible cause	Potential solution
The power or SCSI cable is not	Check that the cables to the tape drive are
connected properly.	firmly connected. Ensure that the SCSI
	cable is LVDS-compliant and that it does
	not have any bent pins. Replace, if
	necessary. (See “Ordering Information”.)
The SCSI bus may not be	1. If your HP Surestore DLT1 drive is the
terminated correctly.	last or only device on the SCSI bus, make
	sure the device is properly terminated.
	2. If your HP Surestore DLT1 drive is not
	the last or only device on the SCSI bus,
	check all SCSI cable connections and
	make sure the last device on the SCSI bus
	is terminated.
The tape drive’s SCSI ID address	Identify the SCSI IDs of existing SCSI
is not unique.	devices by using HP Library & Tape Tools.
	Change the drive's SCSI ID. Shut down
	and turn off the host server or workstation;
	turn off the desktop drive. Change the
	drive's SCSI ID. Turn on the host server or
	workstation and desktop drive.
External drives only: the tape drive	Switch on the tape drive, then switch the
may have been switched on after	computer off and then on again.
the computer was booted up. The
computer checks for SCSI devices
only at power-on.
The SCSI adapter may be	Check the SCSI host adapter
incorrectly configured.	configuration. Refer to the SCSI host
	adapter manuals for instructions.
The SCSI cable may be loose.	Check both ends of the SCSI cable, both
	for the desktop and internal drives.
The SCSI terminator might be	1. Make sure the terminator is properly
loose or missing.	seated on the open SCSI connector on the
	rear panel of the desktop drive or on the
	last device on the SCSI bus.
	2. Make sure an LVD or SE terminator is in
	place on the end of the SCSI ribbon cable
	for the internal drive.
The SCSI terminator might not be	Make sure the terminators are placed only
at the end of the SCSI bus or more	at each end of the SCSI bus--one at the
than two terminators might be	host adapter and one on the last device on
present on the SCSI bus.	the bus, both internal and external.
The SCSI host adapter might be in	Move the SCSI host adapter to a different
a defective expansion slot.	expansion slot.
The SCSI bus might be too long.	Make sure the total length of the SCSI bus
	does not exceed the ANSI SCSI standard
	of 3 meters (10 feet) for an SE bus, 12
	meters (40 feet) for an LVD SCSI bus with
	multiple devices, or 25 meters (82 feet) for
	an LVD SCSI bus with a single device.

problems with the drive

tape drive does not power up

Possible cause	Potential solution
The power cable is not connected	Check that the cables to the tape drive are
properly.	firmly connected.
	Make sure that the power cable is firmly
	connected.
	●	For internal drives, try another
		power connector.
	●	For external drives, the power on/off
		switch incorporates a green LED. If
		this is not on, check the power cable
		connection and replace the cable if
		necessary. You can use the power
		cable from your monitor or another
		device to check that the connection
		is working.
	If the power supply is present and all LEDs
	remain off, call for assistance.
The self-test fails (All three LEDS	If there is a cartridge in the drive, remove
flashing.)	it. Power down the drive and power it up
	again. If the self-test still fails, call for
	assistance.

all the LEDs on the front panel blink continually

Possible cause Potential solution

An internal drive fault has occurred. 1. Press and hold the Eject button for 6 seconds to reset the drive.

2.Turn the drive off and then on again. If the drive is a HP Surestore DLT1 internal drive, shut down and turn off the host server or workstation, then turn it back on and allow it to boot.

3.Call technical support if Power-On Self- Test (POST) continues to fail.

errors for which you cannot find the cause

Possible cause	Potential solution
The AC power source may not be	1. Plug the HP Surestore DLT1e Desktop
properly grounded.	drive's power cable into a power outlet on
(HP Surestore DLT1e desktop	the same circuit as the host server or
drive only.)	workstation.
	2. Plug the HP Surestore DLT1e Desktop
	Drive's power cable into a different power
	outlet.

problems during firmware update

drive does not go into firmware update mode

Possible cause

There is a DLTtape cartridge in the drive.

The drive and its controller hardware are not communicating properly.

Potential solution

Remove the cartridge from the drive and repeat the update process.

The drive's hardware may be damaged and must be repaired. Refer to our World Wide Web Customer Care pages on www.hp.com/support/dlt1 or call for assistance.

code update failed

Possible cause

1.The cartridge is not a valid code update cartridge

2.The cartridge does not contain a valid code update image file.

The cartridge contains a valid code update image file, but the flash EEPROM programming process fails.

Potential solution

Obtain a valid code update cartridge and repeat the update process.

The drive's controller hardware is probably damaged and must be replaced. The drive resets and runs Power-On Self-Test (POST) which fails if the flash EEPROM does not contain a valid code image. If this occurs, you must repair the drive before using it.

Refer to our World Wide Web Customer Care pages on www.hp.com/support/dlt1 or call for assistance.

interpreting the LEDs

The HP Surestore DLT1 tape drive has three LEDs (light emitting diodes) on the front panel which indicate drive status. The Ready switch is illuminated when power is switched on.

The tape drive performs a power on Power-On Self-Test (POST) whenever power is applied or the drive is reset. The test takes several seconds to complete, after which the drive is ready to use. The following takes place during POST:

1.The LEDS turn on all at once and then turn off.

2.If a cartridge is loaded, the Ready LED flashes during initialization and remains illuminated after POST.

3.If there is no cartridge loaded, all LEDs turn off after POST.

Use the following table to interpret the LED sequences and the appropriate action to take.

Symptom

Drive fails to execute power-on self-test. LEDs remain off.

Action

Check power is being supplied to the drive.

For external drives, the power on/off switch incorporates a green LED. If this is not on, check the power cable connection and replace the cable if necessary. You can use the power cable from your monitor or another device to check that the connection is working.

For internal drives try another power connector.

If the power supply is present and all LEDs remain off, contact the HP Customer Care

Center.

The Caution LED is illuminated. The drive may need cleaning. Load the DLT1 cleaning cartridge.

© 2000, Hewlett-Packard Company

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