Tape drive shows to be write protected

[Jim LaBounty]

When I issue:
# mt -f /dev/rmt/0mn status

I get:
Drive: HP C1537A
Format: DDS-3 format
Status: [45112500] BOT write-protected online compression immediate-report-mode
File: 0
Block: 0

However the tape is NOT WP.
I've tried another tape, same result and even moved the "supposedly" WP tape to another server/drive and it showed:

# mt -f /dev/rmt/0mn status
Drive: HP C1537A
Format: DDS-3 format
Status: [41112500] BOT online compression immediate-report-mode
File: 0
Block: 0

----------------------------------
So...it's not the tape.

Any ideas?
Thanks...Jim

[Stf]

Hello,

Did you change switch settings on the tape when you change from the first server to the second?

Stf ;-)

[Jim LaBounty]

Not sure what you mean by "switch settings".
The write protect tab in not "on".

[Stf]

Download HP L&TT tools :

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/index.html

then you can make diag & firmware upgrade of your tape, I think it's a firmware pblem...

Stf ;-)

[Steven E. Protter]

Could be firmware.

Could be a mechanical problem with the drive.

If you look at the drive you'll see a little "thingie" for lack of a better term that is supposed to insert into the tape. if it inserts the tape is write protected. If not, you can right.

If this "thingie" is broken or can't insert then ANY tape is writable, regardless of its write tab.

The normal response in this situation is to replace the drive.

SEP