Compaq 20/40 GB DLT Backup Drive

[jose aponte]

The situation I'm having is that my backup drive have all the panel lights blinking, (the Write Protect, tape in use and cleaning tape lights are blinking. The light that allow me to operate the handle to remove the tape is always on.

[Oliver Charni]

Look's like the Drive is broken. I encountered something similar on 2 DLT 8000's. Turned out the Drives were only good for throwing them away.

[Christopher Rupnik · Accepted solution]

Hi
You have the Christmas Light syndrome. What that is telling you is that the leader inside the drive itself is broken.
Dropped leaders are a common problem with DLT drives. HP and Compaq considers these a non-reparable issue, and if you had a support contract you would get a factory replacement.

I noticed on the Quantum site (where the drive is actually made) there is a leader replacement kit available. No engineer I have ever known was successful in getting a DLT drive in this condition fixed.

[Marino Meloni_1]

check here

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg50027

and if you unit is out of warranty, with a little bit of attention you can do that:

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg50338