Ultrium Tape Loading Issue

[CA1256518]

Hi Folks

I have one of the first HP Ultrium drives (internal) and after ages of working wonderfully well, it's suddenly decided to play up. When inserting a tape, it stays in the unit for no more than a little while, then ejects the tape. The "error" light under the top light is flashing.

I have tried powering the unit off completely and re-starting, but it doesn't help at all - the error light just flashes.

Can anyone share their experiences on this one with me? Desperate as we have no backups being taken at the moment while the problem is happening.

Cheers!
Chris

[Lewis Finch]

Chris, if you have had it as long as you say you probably need a firmware upgrade at the very least. Download the Library and Tape tools diagnostic from here. You can flash the firmware to the latest version and also use it to test your drive.
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ltt/index.html

[CA1256518]

Hi there and thanks for the reply.

I will absolutely upgrade the firmware - thanks - but cannot understand why the drive, which has been in daily use since purchase, should suddenly start flashing the "Drive Error" light and not accept any tapes. Surely this cannot have anything to do with the firmware?

Regards
Chris

[Rothery Harris]

Chris,
It is possible that some of the later firmware enhancements would enable your drive to recover form its condition. More than likely the drive has developed a fault. Contact your support centre and E-mail the support ticket from HP Library & Tape Tools is your best solution. Your drive may well be within the the warranty. The customer support centre will know that from the serial number.

[CA1256518]

Hi!

Wilco! Will contact support this afternoon and take it from there. Will let you know what happens..! ;)

Regards
Chris

[Chris Reynolds_4]

Hi Chris, my Ultrium drive has developed the same problem as you experienced, did you resolve it?
Regards
Chris

[CA1256518]

Chris Reynolds Wrote:
>> Hi Chris, my Ultrium drive has developed
>> the same problem as you experienced, did
>> you resolve it?

Hi Chris

Unfortunately, even though HP replaced the drive with a new one, and I subsequently put in a new motherboard AND a separate SCSI controller, it's still not working properly. Very disappointed and now at wits end. We have to switch the server OFF, then put the tape in, then switch it back on. NOT acceptable.

Am going to ring the lads in support again and see what they say. Will let you know.

Regards
Chris

[CA713937]

Can you post an LTT support ticket from the replacement drive? Have you tried running the LTT drive assessment test? If so, does it pass or fail?