Drive error codes and messages

SCD drive error codes give descriptions of the errors and messages that pertain to the drive.

If the drive detects a permanent error, it displays the error code on the SCD and flashes the Fault light (Ready light is Off).

Make note of the SCD error code before a cartridge is removed or the SCD error code is cleared.
If an error occurred with a cartridge in the drive, push Unload to eject the cartridge.
To clear the SCD error code and power cycle the drive, press Unload for 10 seconds. A drive memory dump is created.

Attention: If the drive detects a permanent error, and displays an error code other than

, it automatically completes a drive memory dump. If you force a drive memory dump, the existing memory dump is overwritten and data is lost. After you force a drive memory dump, do not turn off the power to the drive or you might lose the memory dump data.

Table 1. Error codes on the Single-character Display
Error Code	Cause and Action
	No error occurred and no action is required. This code displays when diagnostic tests are finished running and no error occurred. Note: The Single-character Display is blank during normal operation of the tape drive.
	Temperature problem. The tape drive detected that the recommended operating temperature was exceeded. Complete one or more of these 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 (see Location requirements). 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.
	Power problem. The tape drive detected that the externally supplied power is outside the specified voltage limits (the tape drive is not operating). Complete this action: Ensure that the power connector is properly seated. Turn power off/on the tape drive to see whether the problem repeats. Replace the tape drive if the problem persists. The error code clears when you place the tape drive in maintenance mode.
	Firmware problem. The tape drive determined that a firmware error occurred. Complete this action: Collect a drive memory dump. Note: Do not force a new memory dump; the tape drive created one. Server's host interface with a device driver utility or system tool such as ITDT. For instructions about ITDT, visit the web at http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral. Ultrium tape drive (to copy and read a drive memory dump, use Function code 5: Copy 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 memory dump that you collected in step 1 to your IBM Support Center. The error code clears when you place the tape drive in Maintenance mode.
	Firmware or hardware problem. The tape drive determined that a firmware or tape drive hardware failure occurred. Complete this action: Collect a drive dump. Note: Do not force a new memory dump; one exists. Server's host interface with a device driver utility or system tool such as ITDT. For instructions about using ITDT, go to http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral. Ultrium tape drive (to copy and read a drive memory dump, use Function code 5: Copy 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.
	Tape drive hardware problem. The drive determined that a tape path or read/write error occurred. To prevent damage to the drive or tape, you cannot insert a cartridge if the current cartridge was successfully ejected. The error code might 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 memory dump to flash memory before the drive is returned. For instructions, refer to Function code 5: Copy drive dump.
	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 that the tape cartridge is the correct media type: Ultrium 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and M8 cartridges are not supported in the Ultrium 9 tape drive. Drive does not accept an expired Cleaning Cartridge. Drive does not accept a WORM cartridge when diagnostic tests are run in Maintenance mode. Drive does not write over existing data sets on a WORM cartridge. Ensure that you are appending data sets on WORM media rather than attempting to write over existing data sets. If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, complete this action:
	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 Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics. If the diagnostic tests fail, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic tests 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 Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics. If the diagnostic tests fail, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic tests succeed, discard the cartridge. If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics: If the diagnostic tests fail, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic tests succeed, run Function code H: Test head . If the diagnostic test fails, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic test succeeds, replace the cartridges that caused the problem. The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in Maintenance mode.
	Problems with Reading Data If the problem occurred while the tape drive was reading data from the tape, complete one of these 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 Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics: If the diagnostic test fails, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic test succeeds, the error was temporary. If another tape drive is not available, insert a scratch data cartridge into the unit and run Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics: If the diagnostic test fails, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic test succeeds, discard the cartridge. If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, run Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics. If the diagnostic test fails, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic test succeeds, run Function code H: Test head. If the diagnostic test fails, replace the tape drive. If the diagnostic test succeeds, replace the cartridges that caused the problem. The error code clears when you remove the tape cartridge or place the tape drive in Maintenance mode.
	Tape drive or media error. The tape drive determined an error occurred because of a faulty tape cartridge or an invalid tape cartridge. Ensure that the tape cartridge is the correct media type: Ultrium 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and M8 cartridges are not supported in the Ultrium 9 tape drive. Drive does not accept an expired Cleaning Cartridge. Drive does not accept a WORM cartridge when diagnostic tests are run in Maintenance mode. Drive does not accept an FMR tape unless the drive is completing Function code 8: Unmake FMR tape. Drive does not write over existing data sets on a WORM cartridge. Ensure that you are appending data sets on WORM media rather than attempting to write over existing data sets. Drive does not Create FMR tape (Maintenance code 3) with a cartridge that is already an FMR tape. Use another cartridge or run Maintenance mode Function code 8: Unmake FMR tape. Drive does not Unmake FMR tape (Maintenance code 8) with a cartridge that is not an FMR tape. If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, try another tape cartridge. If the problem occurs with multiple tape cartridges, use this procedure: If possible, run the tape cartridge in a different tape drive. Replace the media if the operation in the other unit fails, and or displays. If the operation succeeds, run Function code E: Test cartridge & media. Attention: When you run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test, data on the suspect tape is overwritten. Use only a scratch data cartridge to run the test. If the diagnostic test fails, replace the media. If the diagnostic test succeeds, clean the drive head (see Cleaning the drive head) and run Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics. If the drive diagnostic test fails, replace the drive. If the drive diagnostic test succeeds, complete 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.
	Interface problem. The tape drive determined that a failure occurred in the tape drive 's hardware or in the host bus. See Troubleshooting Guide. If displays while "Function Code 6: Host Interface Test" was running: Verify that the correct interface wrap tool was attached in the correct interface port during the test. The test fails if the correct interface wrap tool is not attached. Note: The interface wrap test is not supported on the USB port and displays an invalid error if run. If the correct interface wrap tool was attached during the test, replace the drive. The error code clears when you place the tape drive in Maintenance mode.
	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. See Function code 7: Run RS-422 wrap test or 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.
	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 Fault light flashes. The error code might clear when you cycle power to the tape drive or place it in Maintenance mode. To determine whether the problem is with the drive hardware, or the tape media, complete these procedures: If possible, run the tape cartridge in a different drive. Replace the media if the operation in the other drive fails, and or displays. If the operation succeeds, run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test (see Function code E: Test cartridge & media). If the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test fails, replace the media. If it runs successfully, clean the failing drive and run the drive diagnostic tests (see Cleaning the drive head and Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics). When you begin this test, the diagnostic test begins the loop sequence. Time the first loop by pressing Unload once to stop the diagnostic test after the completion of the first loop, then record the time that 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 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 diagnostic tests run successfully, complete the operation that produced the initial drive error. If the problem persists, replace the drive. If it is not possible to run the tape cartridge in a different drive, complete these procedures: Clean the failing drive and run the drive diagnostic tests (see Cleaning the drive head and Function code 1: Run drive diagnostics). When you begin this test, the diagnostic test begins the loop sequence. Time the first loop by pressing Unload once to stop the diagnostic test after the completion of the first loop, then record the time that 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 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 diagnostic tests run successfully, run the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test (see Function code E: Test cartridge & media). If the Test Cartridge & Media diagnostic test fails, replace the media. If it runs successfully, complete the operation that produced the initial drive error. If the problem persists, replace the drive.
	The tape drive must be cleaned. Clean the tape drive. See Cleaning the drive head. The error code clears when you clean the tape drive or place it in Maintenance mode.
	Fiber AL_PA conflict. Two drives on fiber loop have the same AL_PA. Modify the tape drive AL_PA to eliminate the conflict. NOT SUPPORTED ON THIS DRIVE.
	Encryption Error. Displayed when the drive detects an error that is associated with an encryption operation. If the problem occurred while the tape drive was writing data to, or reading data from, tape: Check the host application to ensure that the host application is providing the correct encryption key. Refer to the IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI Reference for the sense data that is returned for an encryption operation. Retry the encryption operation after the host application problems are resolved. Check the operation of the tape drive by resetting the drive and running POST. See Table 1. 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. Check the media. Ensure that the correct media is used. Data encryption is supported by LTO Ultrium 4 and later 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 diagnostic tests, 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.
	Fiber Port offline. Displayed when the drive fiber port received a port bypass command from another port on the Fibre Channel network.
	Fibre Channel error. No light is displayed if the drive fiber port does not detect light.
	Incompatible media. The tape drive detected that an unsupported cartridge was loaded or the cartridge that is loaded has an incompatible format.
	Write operation to a write protected cartridge was attempted (includes any attempt to overwrite a WORM protected tape). Ensure that the tape cartridge is the correct media type. If the tape cartridge is the correct media type, check the write-protect switch on the cartridge. The drive does 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.
	The drive is performing media optimization.