If you experience problems when using the tape drive,
you need to isolate the cause of the problem. For example, if you have just
installed a new SCSI host bus adapter and your system will not start, the cause
of the problem is likely to be the adapter.
When installing multiple items of hardware and software,
we recommend that you install each in turn and restart the system each time.
Similarly if you have already installed multiple devices and software and you
experience problems, remove or uninstall each in turn to establish which one
is causing the problem.
Remember that the system recognizes devices during boot-up.
If you swap or connect a product when your system is running, you will need
to reboot the system. Rebooting the system will reset devices and will often
resolve problems. It is good practice to reboot every time you add a driver
or install firmware.
The first step in problem-solving
is establishing whether the problem lies with the cartridge, the drive, the
host computer and its connections, or with the way the system is being operated.
If none of the following advice helps you solve the problem, call for assistance.
Most modern SCSI host bus adapters (HBA) locate and
display attached devices when the system is booting up. If the device is not
detected at this stage, there is probably a problem with the physical hardware:
cables, termination, connections, power or the HBA itself.
If your drive is found on system boot up but cannot be found
in the operating system, this is more likely to be a software problem.
Computer does not boot up
Possible cause
Potential solution
You have connected the tape drive to an existing
SCSI bus that has other devices connected to it and the SCSI address of
your DELL PowerVault 110T LTO drive is identical to the address used by
another device.
Make sure that each device on the SCSI bus
has a unique ID. We recommend that the DELL PowerVault 110T LTO drive is
connected to a dedicated host bus adapter. Do not connect the drive to a
disk RAID controller as this is not supported.
You have installed an additional SCSI host
bus adapter and its resources are clashing with an existing adapter.
Remove the new host bus adapter and check
the server documentation
You have disconnected the power or SCSI cable
from the computer�s boot disk during the drive installation process.
Check that the cables to all devices are
firmly connected.
Computer boots, but does not recognize the tape drive
Possible cause
Potential solution
The power or SCSI cable is not connected
properly.
Check that the cables to the tape drive are
firmly connected. Ensure that the SCSI cable is LVDS-compliant and that
it does not have any bent pins. Replace, if necessary.
The SCSI bus is not terminated correctly.
Remove the new host bus adapter and check
the server documentation
The tape drive�s SCSI ID address is not unique.
Check that the cables to all devices are
firmly connected.
External drives only: the tape drive may
have been switched on after the computer was booted up. The computer checks
for SCSI devices only at power-on.
Switch on the tape drive, then switch the
computer off and then on again.
During system start-up, the computer accesses the tape drive and retensions
any tape cartridge in the drive to prepare the drive for operation. The noise
and vibration associated with this activity are normal for this technology and
do not indicate a problem with the drive.
Tape Drive Does Not Power Up
Possible cause
Potential solution
The power cable is not connected properly.
Check that the cables to the tape drive are firmly
connected.
Make sure that the power cable is firmly connected.
For internal drives, try another power connector.
For external drives, the power on/off switch
incorporates a green LED. If this is not on, check the power cable connection
and replace the cable if necessary. You can use the power cable from
your monitor or another device to check that the connection is working.
If the power supply is present and all LEDs remain
off, call for assistance.
The self-test fails (Ready light is off and
the other LEDs are on solidly).
If there is a cartridge in the drive, remove
it. Power down the drive and power it up again. If the self-test still fails,
call for assistance.
The Application Does Not Recognize the Tape Drive
Possible cause
Potential solution
The application does not support the tape
drive.
Check the application's documentation for details of
drives supported. Load any service packs as necessary.
Some applications require drivers to be loaded.
Check that the correct SCSI and tape drive
drivers are installed. Consult the backup application�s installation notes
for details.
Interpreting the LEDs
The DELL PowerVault 110T LTO drive has four LEDs (light
emitting diodes) on the front panel which indicate drive status (see Figure
1). The power switch is also illuminated when power is switched on.
The tape drive performs a power on self-test whenever power is applied or the
drive is reset. The test takes about 2 seconds. The green 'Ready' light and
the three orange lights for the other LEDs flash briefly and then go out. The
green 'Ready' LED flashes and then remains on if self-test passes. If it fails,
all the front panel LEDs will remain off.
Figure 1: Tape Drive LEDs
Use the following table to interpret the LED sequences and the appropriate
action to take.
Symptom
Action
Drive fails to execute power-on self-test.
LEDs remain off.
Check power is being supplied to the drive.
For external drives, the power on/off switch incorporates
a green LED. If this is not on, check the power cable connection and replace
the cable if necessary. You can use the power cable from your monitor
or another device to check that the connection is working.
For internal drives try another power connector.
If the power supply is present and all LEDs remain
off, call for assistance.
The drive mechanism has
detected an error. Power cycle or reset
the drive.
If the condition clears
load a new tape. If the 'Drive Error' LED remains on, call for assistance.
The 'Tape Error' LED is flashing
Make sure the tape cartridge is not write-protected.
Unload the tape cartridge.
Insert a different tape cartridge, preferably a new one.
If
the 'Tape Error' LED is now off, discard the 'suspect' tape cartridge.
If
it is still on, call for assistance.
The 'Tape Error' and 'Drive Error' LEDs are both flashing
Unload the tape cartridge.
Power cycle or reset the drive.
If the condition clears,
load a new tape and discard the 'suspect' tape cartridge.
If the error condition
reappears, call for assistance.
The tape is ejected immediately and the 'Tape
Error' LED is flashing,or the 'Drive Error'
LED flashes on unloading tape
The tape cartridge memory (CM) may be faulty. Write-protect
the cartridge by sliding the red switch on the tape cartridge. The tape
can be loaded and the data read. Once the data is recovered, the cartridge
must be discarded.
The cleaning cartridge is ejected immediately
after loading
Make sure that you are using a Dell approved
cleaning cartridge.
Reinstalling the Tape Backup Software
Refer to the Operating Guide supplied with your tape backup application for
full details of how to reinstall this software should that be necessary.
Reinstalling Drivers for Windows NT and Windows 2000
Click here for details on installing
drivers for a tape drive on a Windows NT or Windows 2000 operating system.
Tape Backup Software Errors
Refer to the Operating Guide supplied with your tape backup application for
full details of how to troubleshoot backup application software errors
