Problems reading data

[James Moro]

Over the last two weeks, I've had a lot of failures on my HP SureStore DAT running in Veritas BackupExec 8.6 on a Windows 2000 server. The log message I'm receiving says that "the tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape." The log also reads that the cleaning tape is worn out.

I replaced the cleaning tape, but still get failures. The device is located in a remote location close enough for me to drive to when there's a problem, so I started asking questions of the staff. They tell me this is their third tape drive in less than 4 years, which seems extraordinary. Also, I quizzed the person whose job it is to change the tapes daily and I have a feeling she has been excessive in using the cleaning cartridge over the last few years.

I noticed that HP doesn't recommend cleaning the drive too frequently, as that will reduce the life expectancy of the device. My question at this point is simply, is the device beyond repair at this point. It is still making backups, but there are multiple tape alerts, and I wasn't able to catalog different tapes that I brought down as part of my troubleshooting. Any help to save my client the expense of having to spend another $700 on a tape drive that should last longer will be appreciated.

[Lewis Finch]

Hi James,

You didn't mention which DAT drive you had but in any case the recommended cleaning schedule is once per week or every 20 hours of tape pulling time.

[Eugeny Brychkov]

Lewis is correct. DAT drive should be cleaned after every 5 full backups or 20 tape pulling hours. In opposite, DLT/LTO drives should be cleaned ony by their request.
Try using new cleaning tape and clean drive 5 times at once. Then try backing up again.
You can install HP LTT and look to its support ticket and recommendstions ( http://www.hp.com/cposupport/information_storage/support_doc/lpg50128.html ). If you wish you can attach this ticket to your next reply
Eugeny

[CA898230]

Hi James,

Just wondering, do you have a Dat24? If so, besides cleaning...I'm wondering two things. Do you have the RSM disabled in Win 2000. You'll find that in Administrative Tools, Services.

Also if it is a Dat24 have you downloaded HP Storage Works Library and Tape Tools and run the recalibration script. That script recals the heads.