Appendix A. Media/Hardware Problem Isolation
An error code (FID FE) will be generated when the drive experiences an error and cannot determine if the error was caused by the tape cartridge or by a problem in the drive hardware. The FID FE is not displayed on the drive, but is logged in the sense information that is returned to the host system. Follow this procedure if you receive an error when reading or writing to the drive and there is no FID displayed.
Media and drives can affect each other and the indications can be confusing. You must record the symptoms for the drive and the tape to make problem isolation possible. The failing component or tape must be isolated or you will continue to experience problems. Problems can be intermittent so careful record keeping is necessary. Keeping careful records of transient problems will enable problem isolation and resolution.
To determine the cause of the read or write errors, follow the steps below.
vEnsure that the tape drive is not overdue for cleaning.
–For either Model E11 or B11, or Model E1A or B1A not in a library with automatic cleaning, clean the drive if the *CLEAN message is posted when the drive is unloaded.
–For either Model E1A or B1A in a library with automatic cleaning, ensure that the automatic clean function is enabled, and a cleaner cartridge is installed in the library.
Some libraries track cleaner cartridges and expire them after a number of mounts. Ensure that the cleaner cartridge in the library is available.
vDetermine which volume serial numbers or cartridges are potential problems.
–Note which cartridges (VOLSER#s) fail during the operation. (It is possible to have multiple bad cartridges.)
–On a 3590 drive, record the MIM MESSAGE CODE at the host and associated VOLSER#, if the host supports MIM messages.
–On a 3590, if you receive SIM messages at the host, get VOLSER#s from the message and record those in your TAPE SERIAL LOG. (See Table 32 on page 100 as an example of how to establish a log and what it should include.)
vDetermine if the cartridges are bad.
–Examine the cartridge for damage; for example, the leader block is not attached or you have a cracked cartridge. If damaged, either repair or replace the cartridge.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 1995, 2001 | 99 |
