Quantum A-Series Power On Self-Test Post Troubleshooting, Post Operation, Stage What You Observe

Chapter 3 Using Your Tape Drive

Power On Self-Test (POST) Troubleshooting

Power On Self-Test (POST) Troubleshooting

POST Operation

This section provides troubleshooting information that might be helpful should the system fail its power on self-test (POST).

See the data cartridge appendices in this document (Data Cartridges) for complete visual inspection instructions for Super DLTtape II data cartridges.

The Web site www.dlttape.com also includes valuable information about SDLT systems.

The A-Series tape drive performs a power on self-test (POST) each time the tape drive is powered on. POST normally completes in 10 to 15 seconds—when a data cartridge is not in the tape drive— when the unit is powered on. However, if a data cartridge is in the tape drive when the unit is powered on, POST duration is longer, depending on how much tape in the data cartridge may be loaded in the tape drive.

See Front Panel LEDs and Tape Eject to help familiarize yourself with the LEDs on the front panel.

For the SDLT 600A tape drive, Stage 3 in the following table provides the sequence of operations to expect when power is turned on.

Table 5 LED Lighting Pattern During Power-On Self-Test (POST)

Stage	What You Observe
1 (Power	All LEDs illuminate for approximately one second.
On)

2The LEDs flash on, then off in a progressing pattern from left to right. Stages 1 and 2 generally complete within approximately five seconds.

3The right LEDs remain off, the left LED illuminates steadily, and the middle LED flashes until POST completes. This stage typically lasts for 5 to 10 seconds.

Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide 23