Fujifilm DLT IV Tapes Cause Drives to Require Cleaning

[David Brewer]

Having a problem with a TL895 library with 7 tz89 (dlt7000) drive in it. When we use Maxell DLT IV tapes, everything works fine. But whenever Fujifilm DLT IV tapes are used, the drives Cleaning light comes on and the drives aren't usable until they're cleaned.

The library is attached to a Win2k server (SP2). We're using Legato Networker 6.1.3. The drives are up to date on the latest firmware as is the library.

We've tried Microsoft drivers as well at Compaq drives, but we get the same problem.

Again, it's only with the Fujifilm tapes (several hundred of them) that this happens. And it happens every time.

Any ideas?

[Eugeny Brychkov]

David,
here're some ideas:
1. when you use one type of tapes for a long time drives may 'get used to' for these tapes (for example, heads got wear in specific way for these tapes) and new tapes of another brand causes drive to exhibit difficulties accessing it. Conclusion: use tapes of one manufacturer;
2. try these Fujifilm tapes in another DLT drives (for example, standalone one). Do they work? It is possible that all tapes in batch are bad;
3. are all these Fujifilm tapes new tapes or used ones? If used - then where were they used - in which drives - DLT4000, DLT7000 or DLT8000? Take a look at http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/products/storagemedia/tape_dlt/compatibility.html . DLT7000 drive will not be able to read data written on DLT8000 or SDLT drive
Eugeny

[Vincent Farrugia]

Hello,

Different manufacturers produce different tapes. The tapes would be slightly different in coercivity levels. This may cause your drive to operate unsatisfactrily when suddenly you change manufacturer of tapes.

HTH,
Vince