MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING M2488 PRODUCT GUIDE
8-16 CG00000-011503 REV. A April 1997
8-4 DIAGNOSTICS
The M2488 tape drive supports three operational modes for diagnostics. The first mode is the Go/No-
Go diagnostics that are invoked automatically each time power is applied to the tape drive. The second
mode of diagnostics, called Off-Line diagnostics, may be invoked from the Operator Control Panel on
the front panel of the tape drive or medium changer, or from an RS-232 terminal or computer running
terminal emulation software attached to the RS-232 Maintenance Interface. The third mode of diagnos-
tics are called In-Line diagnostics, and are invoked through the SCSI interface using the SCSI SEND
DIAGNOSTIC command sent from a host.
Diagnostic Organization
Diagnostics are arranged by routine number and test number. Each routine is designed to verify a
particular hardware function of the M2488 Tape Drive. Routines are comprised of individual tests
which are designed to focus on a specific area of a hardware function. This organization allows for
finer resolution in diagnostic testing which may be helpful in fault isolation. A list of all the diag-
nostic tests in the Diagnostic Test Registry for all diagnostic modes (except the Boot Go/No-Go
mode) is presented in Appendix F.
Diagnostic Execution
Diagnostic execution is accomplished through the use of a list processing architecture. Each diag-
nostic routine and test to be executed must first be placed in an ordered list, and then this list is exe-
cuted sequentially. The ordered list is referred to as a “test list” and each individual routine and test
placed in the ordered list is referred to as a “test list node” or, simply a “node”. Therefore, a “test
list” is a sequence of “test list nodes” which are individual routines and tests. Test list nodes are
numbered in ascending order beginning with node number one.
8-4.1 Go/No-Go Diagnostics
The Go/No-Go diagnostics are performed every time power is initially applied to the M2488 tape
drive. These tests are designed to verify the integrity of the tape drive hardware at power-on. No user
intervention is required for these tests, however Tasked Go/No-Go diagnostics can be aborted by
pressing the <ENTER> key at any time after they begin to execute. In the event of a Go/No-Go test
failure, diagnostic error information will be sent to the Remote Maintenance (RS-232) interface, as
well as the Operator Control Panel (if possible).
8-4.2 Off-Line Diagnostics
The preferred interface for Off-Line diagnostic operation is the RS-232 Maintenance interface. How-
ever, tests in this mode can also be performed from the Operator Control Panel, in which case no RS-
232 connection is necessary. The following criteria must be met before Off-Line diagnostic mode can
be entered:
No media loaded or obstructing the load slot (if an ACL/FACL is attached, the magazine must be
removed).
Data buffer must be empty.
No pending SCSI operations.
Refer to the following drawing for instructions to invoke the off-line diagnostics via the operator
panel menu:
8-4.3 MTU Diagnostics
The MTU Diagnostic Specifications are presented in APPENDIX H.