LTO1 Tape - Memory Failed?

[CA1113197]

I have a Ultrium 215 external drive. When I got in this morning, the error light on the front of the drive was blinking. I checked the log and had the following error -

WARNING - The memory in the tape cartridge has failed, which reduces performance. Do not use the cartridge for further backup operations.

I emailed HP support, and got what appears to be a caned reply telling me to:
1. test the drive with other media - it has been working fine. I'll see tonight, but I believe it's a problem with a particular cartridge.
2. quick erase/format the tape. I don't understand how this will fix a memory problem.
3. Run tape tools and upgrade/re-flash the drive firmware & run a media validation test. I'm hesitant to upgrade/re-flash if it is a single cartridge failure. The media validation test might be worthwhile.

Assuming that tonight's backup is OK (different tape cartridge), then should I bother to quick erase/reformat (? - I thought you couldn't bulk erase/reformat an LTO cartridge!) or do any of the other stuff?

Thanks.

John

[Lewis Finch]

I have seen this error many times and a firmware very well may fix it. Also quick erasing the tape is not an issue but I don't see it fixing a CM problem. If it is an HP tape you can get it exchanged.

[CA604659 · Accepted solution]

John,
I have seen this problem on some of my 230e drives and every time I have just replaced the cartridge. I assumed it was just a bad tape, once the cartridge was replaced the error went away. All my Ultriums have the latest firmware updates.

Chris