HP G2 1/8 Tape drive constantly requests cleaning tape.

[DaveBBB]

We have a problem with our auto loader drive in that it requests to be cleaned every time it is used to write a back-up to Tape.

We have used 3 cleaning tapes, all of which the drive claimed expires after 4-5 uses, we only insert the cleaning tapes when the drive requests. We do not leave the tape in and let the drive auto-clean.

Any suggestions of troubleshooting this issue as i take it the drive is not working as designed.

Kind regards.

[marsh_1]

hi,

as a start try using the library and tape tools and run some diagnostics against the library /drives , it can also upgrade the firmware , link here :-

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?pnameOID=406731&locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=406729&prodTypeId=12169

HTH

[Richard Bickers]

The cleaning light comes on whenever the drive has trouble reading/writing the tape and is cleared after using a cleaning tape.

If it comes back on again then it looks like it is continuing to struggle. It may be the drive if it's got dirty (and the cleaning tape can't shift it) or it could be your tape.

As suggested, LTT should help you find out which it is. A quick check is to pull a support ticket and see if there's anything under the drive health section.

A longer test, and more conclusive, is the drive assessment test. That will write/read to the tape and use the drive's internal logs to perform an in-depth analysis. Takes about 15-20 mins to run. You'll need to find a 'trusted tape' that you can overwrite.

If the drive looks suspect it may ask you to try another tape just to be sure but it'll ask you to 'contact HP support' if your drive needs attention beyond cleaning.

This is also a good time to check your environment. Any construction, printers, walkways nearby? Human dust is no problem as it doesn't stick but bits of environment can cause more trouble through sticking or scratching.

Very odd that your cleaning tapes expired so quickly. You should get more like 50 uses from each one. If you pull a ticket after you cleaned the drive the ticket will also tell you how much life is left in your cleaning tape. Under tape health (or usage).

Good luck.

[Richard Bickers]

Btw... we have a quick link to LTT. Try http://www.hp.com/support/tapetools.