Autoloader C1557A LCD-Message -drive comms error-

[Barrie_Evans]

Niels, Christian,

I am sorry, but the specific problem that you have is different to the problems experienced by the other people in this forum, and as such the help that I gave to them would not be applicable to you both.

Again, sorry about this, but as John Nash has shown in his post, there are hardware differences between the 2 products.

regards,
Barrie

[CA1103990]

Hi,

I have got a problem with my C1557A autoloader drive - after the self test it displays error message Drive comms error.
This is after there had been a stuck magazine in the drive (the drive would display error 37 and even the forced eject wouldn't work). So I decided I had to open it up and remove the magazine. I did that, removed the magazine BUT unfortunatelly when having the drive lifted up, the connected which connects the tape drive to the autoloader became loose.
When I wanted to push it back I managed to snap off the connector on the tape drive. It seems rather strange that this connector was held in place only by two tiny pins.
I tried pushing back but it won't stay. I tried to stick some folder paper in the space between the connector and the metal above it to hold in place but I still get the Drive comms error.

When connected to the SCSI controller, the drive is recognised as C1557A but the LTT software reports no autoloader. (See the ticket attached)

Would anybody be able to advise how to get this connector back in place?
Otherwise I am afraid that I will have to send the drive for repair.

Thanks

[CA1119269]

Hi Barrie

I believe I have the same issue as the others here. My C1557A autoloader (FW U812) was giving continual problems with tape read/writes so I though I'd be clever and replace the tape mechanism from little used standalone C1537A (FW L111) - now I'm getting the "Drive Comms Error" message. Any chance of discussing the fix with me? Both drives are well out of warranty but it would be a lifesaver if I could get it to work again.

My email is c.h.kerr@soton.ac.uk

Many Thanks

[R.Esser]

My email address: robert.esser at gmx dot net

Dear Barrie,
after readig the whole thread it seems that I have a similiar problem like the other guys and that you could help me with a short statement or a trick.

I've an HP autoloader DDS2 SureStore 12000e with an internal ID C1553A and a firmware revision 9503. The DDS2 drive died some weeks ago and I tried to replace it with a standalone drive DDS3 C1537A with firmware L111.

Like others I also get the LCD message "drive comms error" reasoned by the wrong firmware when using the standalone drive in the autoloader (all IDs and Versionnumbers taken from HP LTT). Replacing the old item by HP support is to expensive for me, because I'd like to use this drive at home. The loader ist still ok, the DDS2 drive has problems when writing to and reading from tapes.

Is there any way to update the C1537A drive's firmware to use it in the autoloader?

Thanks in advance and
Best Regards from Germany

[R.Esser]

This is the support ticket of my autoloader.

[Paul van der Meer]

Hi Barrie,

I've got the same problem R.Esser, i also have a HP autoloader DDS2 SureStore 12000e. And replaced the DDS2 drive with a DDS3 drive (C1537A) when it malfunctioned. Now i also get the "Drive Comms Error" in the display.

Can you send me the solution please?
My E-mail address is paul@pk-online.net

Thank You,

[Alan Harwood_1]

Hi Barrie

I believe I have the same issue as the others here. My C1557A autoloader (FW U812) was giving continual problems with tape read/writes so I though I'd be clever and replace the tape mechanism from little used standalone C1537A (FW L111) - now I'm getting the "Drive Comms Error" message. Any chance of discussing the fix with me? Both drives are well out of warranty but it would be a lifesaver if I could get it to work again.

Thanks,

Alan

email: 29a@29a.co.uk

[Alan Harwood_1]

I added my name to the list of the people with a "Drive Comms Error" after trying to replace a faulty tape drive with the mechanism from a stand-alone tape drive a couple of weeks ago.
HP support were unable to help, and no-one here seems willing to communicate the solution, but I've solved my problem.
I assumed that since my original drive reported that its electronics were OK, but it failed to read or write tapes, that it was the mechanical part of the tape drive which had worn out.
My solution was to dismantle the tape drive and also the stand-alone drive, and swap over the mechanical parts.
I now have one fully working autoloader (and one useless standalone drive).
It was easier than expected (< 1 hour).

If anyone wants to copy me, but isn't sure how to do it, email me and I'll give the details of what I did. No guarantees though!

Alan (29a@29a.co.uk)

[G_D]

Hi,

Sorry for bumping an old thread but the problem I have happens to be similar.

I have the same problem with my autoloader after I "briliantly" replaced the drive with a C1537A standalone. Now it keeps saying drive comms error. I'm hoping to get Brian's solution for it. My e-mail is
jourdanmah @ hotmail.com

I would have tried just swapping the drive boards but the original drive's board is faulty.

Thank you.

[David Jacobs_1]

Hello,

If possible I would like to try the fix for the drive comms error, I have a C1537 Standalone tape drive connected to a C5648 Autoloader.

Thanks

[Frank Belau]

Hello,

i have the same problem as robert esser. I have a C1553 autoloader and the drive are dead. i changed this C1533-drive with a C1537 and then i get the "Drive comms error"

can anyone help me, please?

with kind regards,
Frank Belau

[Lewis Finch]

Standalone drives don't work in autoloaders

[Frank Belau]

i think that is only a firmware problem - or not?