Write error with SureStore DAT24i

[Ormicki Wac³aw]

I have SS DAT24i on Compaq Proliant 800 with Novell NetWare 5.0. When I do backup over 3000 MB written (once 3500, once 3100 on other files) I get error:
------------------------------
...
Vendor: COMPAQ
Product: 12/24GB DAT DRV
ID: ?? Firmware: 4.05
Function: Write (5)
Error: Media failure(3)
Sense Data:
f0 00 03 00 - 00 00 03 12 - 00 00 00 00 - 52 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00
TapeAlert!
------------------------------
To +/- 3000MB all backups are OK (verify, restore OK). I try many tapes and no change (it's impossible -> 6 tapes with error in same place).

Please help!

Best regards,

Wacek

[CA713937]

It's not much help, but the sense data says:

Sense key 3 = Medium error
ASC/ASCQ = 52/00 = Cartridge Fault.

I'm not familiar enough with DDS technology to know what specifically could cause this error, but I'll ask around.

[Steve W]

There are two possible reasons for this error being reported...
1) Tape snapped (unlikely that all 6 tapes are snapped, but check by lifting the lid and inspecting the tape, but DON'T TOUCH!)

2) Invalid combination of ID holes
This is the more likely reason. There are holes under the cartridge that tell the drive what sort of cartridge it is by a combination of open and shut holes. These holes are sensed by six tiny switches engaged when the cartridge lowers onto the reel platform. In a dusty environment, it is possible for these switches to stick in the down position, thus always registering ON when a cartridge is sensed. The other possibility is that the sense pin of one of the switches has broken off. Either way, take the front panel off and look under the load plate for the six switches (3 each side) and check for the above conditions...