HP Ultrium 2 drive problem

[Talgat Zhexenov]

Dear all,

I have a problem with a HP ultrium 2 tape drive.

All the lights keeep flasshing when a backup is attempted.
I have put a cleaning tape in to no avail.

Could you please answer the following questions:

1.model is HP ultrium 2 - scsi serial number:HU10635M3R . How do I find the part number?


2. would updating the firmware solve the issue?

3.is it ok to use an ultrium 1 cleaning tape on a ultrium 2 drive?

4. I have attached the log from the hp storageworks drive tools - could someone take a look?

5. As drive is internal will I need to reboot the server after a firmware upgrade?

Many thanks

[Marcial Wils · Accepted solution]

1.model is HP ultrium 2 - scsi serial number:HU10635M3R . How do I find the part number?

Description: HP Ultrium 448 Tape Drive
Product number: DW018A
Part number: 378470-001

2. would updating the firmware solve the issue?
- It is difficult to tell if the firmware update will fix it, BUT definitely it is very highly recommended to bring it to the latest firmware revision.

3.is it ok to use an ultrium 1 cleaning tape on a ultrium 2 drive?
- HP Ultrium Cleaning Cartridges (C7978A) are universal for all HP Ultrium drives.

4. I have attached the log from the hp storageworks drive tools - could someone take a look?
- Firmware needs to be updated
- There were unrecoverable write errors while writing tape F66LBOG011.
- The drive heads may be dirty. Please use an unexpired cleaning tape on the drive, then try using another tape.

I recommend you to run a LTO Assessment Test, a Write/Read Test and generate a new support ticket after doing the firmeware update and cleaning the drive with a good cleaning cartridge.

NOTE: Stop backup services before running L&TT

5. As drive is internal will I need to reboot the server after a firmware upgrade?
- No

[Torsten.]

Try all the steps from above, but all lights flashing is always a bad sign - most of the times you will have a bad drive ...

[Shiju Samuel Thomas]

An HP Ultrium-2 Model can be
1. HP Ultrium 460
2. Ultrium 448 Tape Drive.

This case the Drive is a Internal 448 Tape Drive, Part#: DW016A

Is there a Tape stuck in the Drive?

After a Firmware Upgrade on a Tape drive internal to a server it is recommended by HP to Try a Re-Boot of the Server!

Can you please mention the Part number of the Cleaning tape you are using Also is the color of the Cleaning tape Orange?

[Talgat Zhexenov]

Thank you very much for your answers


A few points to clarify:

The cleaning tape is a Dell one !! ultrium1 cleaning tape and i have no local resource to get another. How would you know a cleaning tape has expired?

[Marcial Wils]

"Drive dependent. Ultrium1 drives are 15 to 50 cleans, depending on the drive. Ultrium 2 and 3 drives are all 50 cleans."

Taken from:
http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/pdfs/media/compatibility.pdf

If you havent tracked how many times the cleaning cartridge has been used, I think there is no way to know if it is already expired.

[Talgat Zhexenov]

Just to let you know ...replaced the tape drive !!!