DLT 4000

[CA1083674]

Has anyone had an issues with tape drive that when you insert a tape the red light turns on (write protected, even though the tape is not write protected. I have updated the firmware, ran the cleaning tape several times and used a new tape. Any sugguestions? Thanks

[Munir_1]

When updated firmware I assume you ran L&TT, HP StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?locale=en_US〈=English+%28US%29&pnameOID=12255&prodSeriesId=63896&prodTypeId=12169&basePartNum=COL1977&locBasepartNum=co-16463-1&os=Microsoft+Windows+2000&tech=Diagnostic

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?locale=en_US&pnameOID=12255&taskId=135&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=63896〈=en&cc=us&swEnvOID=181

Did you run any of the tests?
Run Read/Write test and/or run DLT Acceptance test.
Also generate and post support ticket and I will try to look at it for you


Munir!

[Munir_1]

I assumed you have WIN based o/s.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/compatibility.html

[CA1083674]

I called HP tech support and I tried a Read/Write test, but when I pushed in the tape the red light would light up. The message I receive in the HP_LTT software is the tape is write protected. I do not have the Ticket number I received from HP at the moment.

[Munir_1 · Accepted solution]

What type of Tapes are using? are the new media you got sme as the old tapes?

also Check this document
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=lpg50346

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=lpg50342&locale=en_US

is the Write Protect lights Flashing or just on?
what about Tape in Use Light?
You might need to replace the drive.

[Bob_196]

(1) Make sure the tapes are nto set to write protection
(2) You backup software may also have a setting were you can set the write protection level - example for Backup Exec

ISSUE: Backup Exec says every media is unwritable.
SOLUTION: Follow the steps below:
Go to Tools.
Select BU Exec Assistant.
Click Configure BU Exec Settings.
Click the Media overwrite tab and set Media overwrite protection level to "none".
Click OK.
Close the BU Exec Assistant.

(3) try other tapes - new and known good tapes

hope some of that helps

Cheers
Bob

[CA713937]

You mention that the 'write protect' light comes on. Does the proper density light (20.0) and compression (assuming your tape was compressed) come on?

Can I assume you are using type IV DLT tapes?

Were these tapes previously written in the same drive?

Note: You can't load tapes previously written with a DLT1/VS80 drive unless you degauss them.

Can you read previously written tapes? You can use your app or LTT's "media analysis" test.

With a write enabled tape loaded, generate a support ticket with LTT (support tool -> save support ticket to file), and then post the .ltt file. We can look at the drive error logs to see if there are any errors being generated.

My guess is the write protect "finger" used to sense the position of the write protect switch might be broke. This is a little plastic tab on the right side of the receiver. The tab position is detected by a hall-effect sensor on the right side of the drive. I think the finger is replaceable if you have an old DLT drive around for parts.