DLT8000 and Win2k Server issues

[John_709]

Hello!
I just installed a DLT8000 tape drive (C6379A) in my Win2k Server (SP4) box.I used the AHA-2944UW SCSI card to connect it to the server.The device was recognised successfully by the o/s.
However when I add an HP DLT data cartridge (C5141F)and run the NTbackup application I get the following error:
"There is no unused media available with the selected type.
Add unused media or click Cancel to select another type.
Note: It may take up to 60 seconds for Removable Storage to recognise new media."
After approximately 60 seconds I get a new message:
"There is no unused media available with the selected type, but unrecognised media is available.Do you want to prepare this unrecognized media and use it for this backup?
Warning: Preparing this media will erase any information that may have been recorded by another application."
After I choose Yes I get this error message:
"Library QUANTUM DLT8000 SCSI Sequential Device couldn't write to media "1".Eject it,fix the problem (see the event log) and try again."
Well how am I going to fix this problem?Any ideas of what 's going wrong?
Thank you!

[Marino Meloni_1]

Cartridge type is correct, but did you wrote on that cartridge with another Drive before? DLT VS80?
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg50139

if compatibility is ok, I would suggest to run L&TT read/write test, generate a Sticket and post it here

[John_709]

Thank you for your answer!
The data cartridge is brand new, I haven't used it before in any tape drive.As soon as I have the test results I'll post back.

[John_709]

Ok here are the results:
First of all I need to upgrade the firmware of my DLT tape from V080 to V086.Apart from that, the drive failed the quick read/write test.I used another data cartridge as well and got the same results.
I hope the tape drive is ok...What do you think?

[Marino Meloni_1]

Did it fail just read/write test or all test? You need to be sure everythink is ok at a communication level, then stop RSM and run L&TT
run all tests, and see if some other test cause problems.
Be sure to have a HVD terminator as you are using a Differential drive

[John_709]

This test is the only one that the drive fails.Tomorrow I'll upgrade the firmware and run the tests again.When you say "stop RSM" do you mean to stop the service?I do not use a terminator because I thought I would not need one since the tape drive is the only device attached to the SCSI card.
Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate your help!

[Marino Meloni_1]

I mean stop Removable Storage when run tests with L&TT, it may interfere with drive access.

Terminator is always need on a scsi bus at both end of the cable. Usualy one is embedded ont he HostBusAdapter, at the other end you should put another one. Just in case you have device with embedded terminator, you can avoid it

[John_709]

Things cannot get worse!
I cannot update the firmware of the tape drive as I get a "Firmware update FAILED!" message right after I initiate the update.I had disabled the Removable Storgage service in order not to interfere with the firmware update.
Is there a quick way of checking whether I need a terminator either in the host bus adapter or in the device?I cannot find any empty slot in the back of the device where I could place a terminator.

[Marino Meloni_1]

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg51248

[Marino Meloni_1]

What you need basicaly is a scsi cable with build in terninator, all HP internal scsi cable have a small box at the end of the cable that is the terminator, you hneed this cable

[John_709]

I agree with you,it should be a cable issue.However I cannot find cables on the internet that have built-in terminators.I have found quite a few 68-pin HD male to 68-pin VHDCI male cables but I do not know whether they have built-in terminators.For example this one:
http://www.adaptecstore.com/index.cfm?category=285&subcategory=288&productid=1838100&source=ubnl11tp&curr=usd〈=us&bhcp=1
Can you give me a link where I can find such cables?What about the external HP SCSI cables, do they have built-in terminators?
Thank you for your valuable help!

[John_709]

This is an HP one but I do not know whether it is terminated
http://www.dabs.com/uk/productview?quicklinx=Z9D

[Marino Meloni_1]

Well, these are external cables, do you have an external unit? if yes, you external drive will have two connectors on the box, what you need is to hook up an external terminator to the second scsi connector. As you are using a 2944UW hba that is HVD standard, you need a hvd terminator.

http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/main?sel_flg=partlist&model=C6379A&HP_model=C6379A&modname=DLT+Tape+Drive+Module+%28C6379A%29&template=main&plist_sval=ALL&plist_styp=flag&dealer_id=&callingsite=&strsrch=&keysel=%3F&catsel=%3F

here you can found the HP Partnuber

C2905A High voltage differential SCSI terminator - Has 68 pin high density (M) connector with thumbscrews

[John_709]

Yes I have an external unit.But it is different than the ones I come up on the internet(with 2 connectors).There is only 1 connector in the back of the device.Maybe it has a built-in terminator I do not know.I attached a few pictures of the tape in a zipped file.
Please have a look and let me know what you think.
Thanks!

[Marino Meloni_1]

Hi John,
this unit is a rack unit, the connector on the rear is used for the connection to the backplane.
I suppose the terminator is built in the backplane, so if you do not use this unit in the rack, you will not have a terminator connected.

I do not know how you can solve the problem, you can try to found the two connectors plate that is used for the stand-alone drive and change it on the rear of the box. So you will have two connector on a Y-cable, one for data and one for terminator