Error Codes and Messages

If the drive detects a permanent error, it will display the error code on the SCD and flash the Amber Fault LED. (Green Ready LED will be Off.)
  • Make note of the SCD error code prior to removing a cartridge or clearing the SCD error code.
  • If an error occurred with a cartridge in the drive, push the Unload Button to eject the cartridge.
  • To clear the SCD error code and power cycle the drive, press the Unload Button for ten seconds. A drive dump will be created.
Attention: If the drive detects a permanent error and displays an error code other than 0 , it automatically performs a drive dump. If you force a drive dump, the existing dump will be overwritten and data will be lost. After you force a drive dump, do not turn off the power to the drive or you may lose the dump data.
Table 1. LTO-6 Tape Drive Error Codes
Error Code Cause and Action
0 No error occurred and no action is required. This code displays when diagnostics have finished running and no error occurred.
Note: The Single-character Display is blank during normal operation of the tape drive.
1 Temperature problem. The tape drive detected that the recommended operating temperature was exceeded. Perform one or more of the following actions:
  • Ensure that the cooling fan is rotating and is quiet. If not, refer to your enclosure documentation.
  • Remove any blockage that prevents air from flowing freely through the tape drive.
  • Ensure that the operating temperature and airflow is within the specified range.
Clear the error code by power cycling the tape drive or placing the drive in Maintenance Mode. If the operating temperature and airflow are within the specified range, and the problem persists, replace the drive.
2 Power problem. The tape drive detected that the externally supplied power is outside the specified voltage limits (the tape drive is not operating). Perform the following actions:
  • Ensure that the power connector is properly seated.
  • Ensure that the proper dc voltages are being applied within the tolerances allowed.
  • If the proper voltages are not being applied, service the power supply.
  • If the proper voltages are being applied, power off/on the tape drive to see if the problem repeats.
  • Replace the tape drive if the problem persists.
The error code clears when you place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
3 Firmware problem. The tape drive determined that a firmware error occurred. Perform the following actions:
  • Collect a drive dump using one of the following ways:
    Note: Do not force a new dump; the tape drive has already created one.
    • Server’s host interface by using a device driver utility or system tool. For instructions about reading a drive dump from tape, visit this website: http://www.ibm.com/storage/lto
    • Ultrium Tape Drive (copy and read a drive dump)
  • Power the tape drive off and on, then retry the operation that produced the error.
  • If the problem persists, download new firmware and retry the operation.
  • If the problem persists, send the drive dump that you collected to your IBM Support Center.
The error code clears when you place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
4 Firmware or hardware problem. The tape drive determined that a firmware or tape drive hardware failure occurred. Perform the following actions:
  • Collect a drive dump using one of the following ways:
    Note: Do not force a new dump; the tape drive has already created one.
    • Server’s host interface by using a device driver utility or system tool. For instructions about reading a drive dump from tape, visit this website: http://www.ibm.com/storage/lto
    • Ultrium Tape Drive (copy and read a drive dump)
  • Power the tape drive off and on, then retry the operation that produced the error. The error code clears when you place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
  • If the problem persists, download new firmware and retry the operation; if new firmware is not available, replace the drive.
5 Tape drive hardware problem. The drive determined that a tape path or read/write error occurred. To prevent damage to the drive or tape, the tape drive will not allow you to insert a cartridge if the current cartridge was successfully ejected. The error code may clear when you cycle power to the tape drive or place it in maintenance mode. If the problem persists, replace the drive.
Note: Copy the drive dump to flash memory before returning the drive.
6 Tape drive or media error. The tape drive determined that an error occurred, but it cannot isolate the error to faulty hardware or to the tape cartridge. Ensure the tape cartridge is the correct media type:
  • Ultrium -1, Ultrium -2, and Ultrium -3 tape cartridges are not supported in Ultrium-6 tape drives.
  • Drive will not accept an expired Cleaning Cartridge.
  • Drive will not accept a WORM cartridge when running diagnostic tests in Maintenance Mode.
  • Drive will not write over existing datasets on a WORM cartridge. Ensure you are appending datasets on WORM media rather than attempting to write over existing datasets.
If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, perform the following actions:

For Problems with Writing Data:

If the problem occurred while the tape drive was writing data to the tape, retry the operation with a different cartridge:
  • If the operation succeeds, the original cartridge was defective. Copy data from the defective cartridge and discard it.
  • If the operation fails and another tape drive is available, insert the cartridge into the other unit and retry the operation.
    • If the operation fails, discard the defective cartridge.
    • If the operation succeeds, insert a scratch data cartridge into the first unit and run the drive diagnostics.
      • If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
      • If the diagnostics succeed, the error was temporary.
  • If the operation fails and another tape drive is not available, insert a scratch data cartridge into the unit and run the drive diagnostics.
    • If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
    • If the diagnostics succeed, discard the cartridge.

If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run the drive diagnostics.

The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in maintenance mode.

For Problems with Reading Data:

If the problem occurred while the tape drive was reading data from the tape, perform one of the following procedures:

  • If another tape drive is available, insert the cartridge into the other unit and retry the operation.
    • If the operation fails, discard the defective cartridge.
    • If the operation succeeds, insert a scratch data cartridge into the first unit and run the drive diagnostics.
      • If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
      • If the diagnostics succeed, the error was temporary.
  • If another tape drive is not available, insert a scratch data cartridge into the unit and run the drive diagnostics.
    • If the diagnostics fail, replace the tape drive.
    • If the diagnostics succeed, discard the cartridge.

If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run the drive diagnostics.
7 Media error. The tape drive determined an error occurred because of a faulty tape cartridge or an invalid tape cartridge. Ensure the tape cartridge is the correct media type:
  • Ultrium -1, Ultrium -2, and Ultrium -3 tape cartridges are not supported in Ultrium-6 tape drives.
  • Drive will not accept an expired Cleaning Cartridge.
  • Drive will not accept a WORM cartridge when running diagnostic tests in Maintenance Mode.
  • Drive will not accept an FMR tape.
  • Drive will not write over existing datasets on a WORM cartridge. Ensure you are appending datasets on WORM media rather than attempting to write over existing datasets.
If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, try another tape cartridge. If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, use the following procedure:

If possible, run the tape cartridge in a different tape drive. If the operation in the other unit fails and 6 or 7 displays, replace the media. If the operation succeeds, run Function Code E: Test Cartridge & Media.

Attention: When you run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostics, data on the suspect tape is overwritten. Use only a scratch data cartridge to run the test.
  • If the diagnostics fail, replace the media.
  • If the diagnostics succeed, clean the drive head (see Cleaning the Tape Drive) and run Function Code 1: Run Drive Diagnostics.
    • If the drive diagnostics fail, replace the drive.
    • If the drive diagnostics succeed, perform the operation that produced the initial media error.
The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
8 Interface problem. The tape drive determined that a failure occurred in the tape drive’s hardware or in the host bus.
9 Tape drive or RS-422 error. The tape drive determined that a failure occurred in the tape drive’s hardware or in the RS-422 connection. Refer to the Library procedures to isolate the problem to the drive. The error code clears when you place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
A Degraded operation. The tape drive determined that a problem occurred which degraded the operation of the tape drive, but it did not restrict continued use. If the problem persists, determine whether the problem is with the drive or the media.
Note: The drive is usable, though the Single-character Display continues to indicate an error and the Status LED flashes amber. The error code may clear when you cycle power to the tape drive or place it in maintenance mode.
To determine if the problem is with the drive hardware, or the tape media, perform the following procedures:
  1. If possible, run the tape cartridge in a different drive. If the operation in the other drive fails and 6 or 7 displays, replace the media. If the operation succeeds, run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostics (see Function Code E: Test Cartridge & Media).
  2. If the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostics fail, replace the media. If it runs successfully, clean the failing drive and run the drive diagnostics (see Cleaning the Tape Drive and Function Code 1: Run Drive Diagnostics). Once you begin this test, the diagnostics begin the loop sequence. Time the first loop by pressing the Unload Button once to stop the diagnostics after the completion of the first loop, then record the time it takes for the test to complete. Compare the recorded time with the Approximate Run Time. If the test runs successfully but the execution time is significantly longer than the Approximate Run Time, run Function Code F: Write Performance Test. If the Write Performance Test fails, replace the media and exit maintenance mode. If the drive diagnostics run successfully, perform the operation that produced the initial drive error.
  3. If the problem persists replace the drive.
If it is not possible to run the tape cartridge in a different drive, perform the following procedures:
  1. Clean the failing drive and run the drive diagnostics (see Cleaning the Tape Drive ). Once you begin this test, the diagnostics begin the loop sequence. Time the first loop by pressing the Unload Button once to stop the diagnostics after the completion of the first loop, then record the time it takes for the test to complete. Compare the recorded time with the Approximate Run Time. If the test runs successfully but the execution time is significantly longer than the Approximate Run Time, run Function Code F: Write Performance Test. If the Write Performance Test fails, replace the media and exit maintenance mode. If the drive diagnostics run successfully, run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostics (see Function Code E: Test Cartridge & Media).
  2. If the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostics fail, replace the media. If it runs successfully, perform the operation that produced the initial drive error.
  3. If the problem persists replace the drive.
C The tape drive needs to be cleaned. Clean the tape drive.

The error code clears when you clean the tape drive or place it in maintenance mode.
d Fiber AL_PA conflict. NOT SUPPORTED ON THIS DRIVE.
e Encryption Error. Displayed when the drive detects an error associated with a encryption operation. If the problem occurred while the tape drive was writing data to, or reading data from, tape:
  1. Check the host application to ensure the host application is providing the correct encryption key.
    • Refer to the IBM Tape Device Drivers Encryption Support documentation and the IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI Reference documentation for the Sense Data returned for an encryption operation.
    • Retry the encryption operation after the host application problems have been resolved.
  2. Check the operation of the tape drive by resetting the drive and running POST.
    • Refer to the error code displayed on the SCD if the drive reset and POST fails.
    • Retry the encryption operation if the drive reset and POST complete without errors.
  3. Check the media.
    • Ensure the correct media is being used. Data encryption is supported with LTO Ultrium-4, Ultrium-5, and Ultrium-6 Data Cartridges only.
    • Retry the encryption operation with the tape cartridge in another encryption enabled drive. Replace the media if the problem repeats with the same tape cartridge in multiple drives.
If the problem occurred while the tape drive was running POST or diagnostics, replace the drive.

The error code clears with the first attempted write/read after the encryption key is changed, or when the drive is placed in maintenance mode.
E Fiber Port offline. NOT SUPPORTED ON THIS DRIVE.
F Fiber Channel Error. NOT SUPPORTED ON THIS DRIVE.
J Incompatible Media. Media that the drive cannot execute commands on has been loaded.
P Write operation to a write protected cartridge has been attempted (this includes any attempt to overwrite a WORM protected tape). Ensure the tape cartridge is the correct media type. Writes to Ultrium-4 tape cartridges are not supported in Ultrium-6 tape drives. If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, check the write-protect switch on the cartridge. The drive will not write to a write-protected cartridge. The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
Bouncing o Broken or excessive slack tape. Drive has encountered a condition where it cannot unload the tape or determine that the tape is in the path of the head. Manual intervention required.
Figure 8 Mid Tape Recovery. Drive is recovering from a power cycle with a tape in the drive. The ‘figure 8’ is broken up with a countdown indicating progress in ten’s percentage to completion: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.