DAT24 - media is write protected

[pedrokim]

Using ARCserve 2k workgroup, I try to erase and format a tape. Unfortunately, I am told that the media is write protected. Out of the tap rotation, they worked a few months ago. Nothing changed, please advise. This write protection is appearing on more tapes.

[Eugeny Brychkov]

Pedro,
please excuse me but did you check write-protect tab had not moved to 'write-protected' position? Try HP LTT http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/index.html
Eugeny

[Steve W]

AFAIK media also appears to be write protected after the max load/unload count has been exceeded. Unless the tape is write protected by the WP tab, the count is updated and stored at the beginning of the media. I seem to recall that it was originally set to something like 99 maximum load/unload cycles.

You should also check that the WP switch sensor pin (just visible through the drive door if you gently push the load plate forward) isn't bent or broken. It's the middle black pin of the right hand side bank of three tiny white switches.