HP 1x8 G2 AUTOLDR error with new tapes C7972A

[jranerosc]

For some times have been errors while performing backups and I thought the problem was because my old tapes had passed the expiration date, I use a rotation of 7 tapes for each day of the week and every last day of the replacement a week (the Sunday), and these tapes were working properly yet, so I decided to change them all for new tapes, I use the 400 GB model C7972A HP LTO-2, the new ones I got are the same model and size but suggests that they are HP LTO2, and assumed they were a perfect match (I guess still are). The problem is that since I've tried to buy something the backups I create a media error inaccessible in the autoloader OCP indicates that the tape inserted is not compatible and that the unit needs to clean.

After that I tried to reuse the old tape backup but to my surprise also give errors, I tried to make test with the tool HP L & TT and at first pass the test of Assestment Drive, but the test read / write takes too long to run and never ends.

After various tests I found two errors that I think that are importatn which read:

• drive is Not For Long recomemded use. Contact with HP.
• The Short Erase operation failed to complete

It may be that by using these new films have spoiled my drive of the autoloader?

Attached the HEALTH report and one report in which I was failure to see if I can help. I would fail to attach the report of the errors of the old tapes. I hope you can help me. Regards,

[jranerosc]

Attachement the health report in this second post. Thank you very much

[Curtis Ballard]

That drive is showing a lot of problems.  It is possible for badly contaminated tapes to cause some of the problems but not all and it is unlikely for new tapes to cause these.

The drive reports

- Errors loading cartridges

- Electronics self test errors

- Write errors

Looking at the logs the error rates on the head are terrible with two channels almost completely out.  You could try cleaning the head several times but I don't think that is going to help.  I think this drive has failed.

[jranerosc]

Thanks for the reply, try cleaning the drive several times, I've read in other post that 8 or 10 times (although it seems excessive).
So tell me if the drive has failed, replacement is the solution? From what I've seen in the replacement parts would cost about 1500$ a new drive if I am correct in finding replacement parts, and do not know if it's worth replacing the part or buy a new autoloader.

Thanks again for the response and keep you informed.

Regards,

[jranerosc]

Hello of new, i have cleaned the tape drive 10 or 11 times and the test assesment of the drive gives this poor logs. In this post I've attachment first test with a old data cartridge and in the next post attachment second test with a new data cartridge. The errors I think that are very similars.

[jranerosc]

In this post attachment second test with a new data cartridge.

I hope your request with your think about this test before conctatc with HP support for replace the drive. My autoloader is out of warranty.

Regards,

[Curtis Ballard]

The drive has failed, maybe completely now.  It tried to write a data set over 200 times with your new tape and was not successful even once.  With the hardware error codes that I mentioned in the previous response and this result following cleaning it is pretty clear that the drive has failed and will have to be replaced. 

The cleaning 8-10 times is excessive in normal use but the cleaning tapes aren't very agressive and 8-10 times won't hurt anything that isn't already worn out.  Sometimes even better than cleaning if the drive is functioning well enough is a full tape write/read with a new tape.  New tapes are slightly rougher than tapes that have been used a couple of times and have a cleaning effect.

[jranerosc · Accepted solution]

I've already contacted HP support and am awaiting a new DRIVE budget but so tell me I would replace the best one used. Budget for now and wait on the result will give for the post closed.

[thomasr]

You can replace the drive with the same type.

You can replace your drive with an Ultrium 920 or LTO-3, which would give you much faster performance (assuming your disks were capable of feeding the drive faster), and double your capacity on new tapes -- while keeping the ability to read *and* write to your LTO-2 tapes.

Or, You could replace your drive with an LTO-4 or LTO-5 (Ultrium 1760/3000) and be able to use hardware encryption, plus much larger capacity per cartridge (800GB or 1.5TB native).   You would be able to read your LTO-2 tapes with an LTO-4 drive only, but would not be able to write to those tapes with either LTO-4 or LTO-5 drives.

[jranerosc]

Thanks for the advice, I will study the budget and will give me the counterbalance you've mentioned opportunities. As it has resolved, I will comment on the outcome. The truth is that if I had not bought the new tapes maybe I would have opted to make backups on a new NAS perhaps, But after making this payment, the safest thing is to make good in one way or another repair my old autoloader.

Regards,

P.D: Sorry for my english

[thomasr]

No need to apologize for your English; I am sure that your English is far better than my whatever-your-native-language-is.

Don't forget the big advantages of tape over disk-based storage -- cheapest archive target, ability to send the data offsite for disaster recovery, best isolation from either intentional or accidental erasure/virus/corruption, etc... I think once we get past this, that you'll be happy you're still using tape!

[jranerosc]

Good morning, has finally changed the drive through an extended warranty from HP, as otherwise the cost would be too large and secured just three months. I appreciate the help received. Greetings