Use the information in this topic to perform an internal
self-test on your tape drive.
Use this procedure to quickly perform a complete set of diagnostic
tests on your LTO-6 tape drive, without impacting server operation.
This 4-minute test can also be used to verify good performance of
individual LTO tape cartridges. For an illustration of the tape drive
and the LED status lights that are referred to in this procedure,
see
Figure 1.
Prerequisites
To perform the test, you need
a blank LTO-6 (Ultrium 6) data cartridge. If an Ultrium-6 data cartridge
is not available, an Ultrium-5 cartridge can be substituted.
Performing the test
Attention: Use
a blank data cartridge to perform the test. During the test, the tape
is overwritten with a test pattern and all data on the tape is destroyed.
To
perform the test, complete the following steps:
- Enter diagnostic mode by completing the following substeps:
- Verify that a tape cartridge is not loaded in the drive. To unload
a cartridge, press the eject button on the front of the drive.
- Press and hold the eject button for 7 seconds, until all LEDs
become active, and then release the button.
The Ready LED continues
to flash, the fault LED remains on, and a 1 is
displayed in the single-character display (SCD). This combination
indicates that the drive is waiting for a cartridge to be inserted.
- Start the self-test by inserting a blank, Ultrium 6 data cartridge
into the drive.
If an Ultrium-6 data cartridge is not available,
an Ultrium-5 cartridge can be substituted.
Notes: - A cartridge must be loaded within 15 seconds or the drive automatically
reverts back to normal operation. If necessary, return to step1 to reenter into diagnostic mode.
- The test takes about 4 minutes.
- Use a cartridge that is not write-protected. If a write protected
cartridge is inserted while the drive is in diagnostic mode, the cartridge
will be ejected. See Table 1.
- Self-testing can only be performed by using a write-compatible
cartridge type (either Ultrium-6 or Ultrium-5), and with a cartridge
that is not damaged. See Table 1.
- If a cleaning cartridge is inserted while the drive is in diagnostic
mode, it will be ejected.
While self-testing is in progress, the LEDs remain active
and the following test steps are performed:
- The hardware test runs for about 1 minute. During that time, a
static test is performed on the electrical components of the drive,
and proper operation of the cartridge load/unload mechanism is verified.
- The write/read test runs for about 3 minutes.
Interpreting the results
Table 1. Interpreting the results of the internal
self-test| Result |
Description |
|---|
| Test passed |
When self-testing completes successfully and
no problems are detected, the cartridge is unloaded from the drive
and all LEDs are off. Proper functioning of both the drive and tape
cartridge have been verified. The drive is no longer in diagnostic
mode, and it returns to normal operation. If the yellow fault
LED remains on and a C is displayed in
the SCD, this combination indicates that self-testing has completed
successfully but that cleaning is required. Clean
the drive by inserting an IBM® cleaning
cartridge, part number 35L2086.
|
| Drive failure |
When a drive problem is detected, the cartridge
remains loaded inside the drive, the yellow fault LED flashes, and
a 5 is displayed in the SCD. Replace
the tape drive. |
| Media failure |
When a media problem is detected, the cartridge
remains loaded inside the drive, the yellow fault LED remains on,
and a 7 is displayed in the SCD. Repeat
the self-test using another blank tape cartridge and discard the defective
media. |
| Incorrect cartridge |
When an incorrect tape cartridge is used for
the test, the cartridge is unloaded, the yellow fault LED remains
on, and a P, 7,
or J is displayed in the SCD. These characters
are displayed for the following reasons:- The cartridge is write-protected (P is
displayed in the SCD.)
- The cartridge is damaged (7 is displayed
in the SCD.)
- The cartridge is not write-compatible with the drive (J is
displayed in the SCD.)
Press the eject button to end the self-test and return the drive
to normal operating mode. Then,
return to step1 and
run the self-test again using a suitable cartridge. |
Returning to normal operation
When self-testing
has completed successfully, the tape cartridge is unloaded. The drive
is no longer in diagnostic mode, and it returns to normal operation.
When
self-testing fails, the tape cartridge remains loaded inside the drive,
and the drive remains in diagnostic mode. Press the eject button to
unload tape cartridge and to return drive to normal operation.
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