DLTVS will not load DLT tape - IBM eServer xSeries Servers

Resolving The Problem

DLTVS ejects DLT media and activates the cleaning indicator. The drive is at the latest firmware revision, but it will not load a DLT tape.

The most likely reason that a drive is rejecting data cartridges is an incompatible cartridge type (DLTtype III) or a cartridge that has been previously written using an incompatible format (DLT7000/8000). Remember that simply using the drive to erase a data cartridge does not remove the previous, incompatible format. Thoroughly degauss (bulk-erase) data cartridges formatted with a different manufacturer tape drive before using them with your DLT1/VS80 tape drive.

You can write to any new, previously unwritten DLTtape(tm)IV cartridge, any data cartridge previously written in a Benchmark DLT1/VS80 tape drive, or any DLTtape(tm)IV cartridge previously written in a non-Benchmark Tape Systems DLT tape drive, after thoroughly degaussing (bulk-erasing) the cartridge.

Note: Simply erasing the data cartridge in its original drive is not the same as degaussing because the existing, incompatible format remains on the tape cartridge. The DLT1/VS80 tape drive is also backward read-compatible with DLTtape(tm)IV cartridges written using the DLT4000 format. Please note that although the DLT1 tape drive loads data cartridges with DLT4000 formatting, it cannot write to the data cartridge. If you attempt to write to DLT4000-format data cartridges, your backup application might return a "Write Protected" response. Also note that the model of DLT tape drive that you used to write a data cartridge does not necessarily
indicate the format of the tape, since other models of DLT tape drives can write in several different formats. The DLT1 tape drive automatically ejects any non-compatible data cartridge.

Media written in an incompatible format must be degaussed before it can be written to by a Benchmark DLT1/VS80 tape drive. Simply erasing the media in its original tape drive is not the same as degaussing, as the format itself will still be resident on the media. It is critical to degauss DLTtape(tm)IV media thoroughly to eliminate all residual data. Although media that is inadequately degaussed may still be accepted by the DLT1/VS80, residual data will likely cause poor performance and high error rates. The primary component of magnetic media that affects degaussing is "coercivity". Coercivity is measured in 'Oersteds', and is the measure of how easily the media is magnetized, or demagnetized. Media with higher coercivity ratings allow much higher data capacities, and require more magnetic energy to demagnetize the media.

While most older magnetic media technologies have coercivity ratings of well below 750 Oersteds, and many of today's technologies are rated up to 1500 Oersteds, DLTtape(tm)IV media is rated at 1850 Oersteds. The degaussing equipment being used must have an Oersted rating at least equal to, and preferably two to three times greater than, the coercivity rating of the media being degaussed. For this reason, degaussing equipment that is designed for lower coercivity tapes, or was built before the new high coercivity tapes were introduced, can not be expected to degauss DLTtape(tm)IV media effectively. Many manufacturers of degaussers do not specify the exact Oersted rating of their equipment. Rather, they specify what equipment to use for specific media types. Specific procedures for degaussing your media should be included with your degaussing equipment. Audio Lab Electronics, Inc., http://www.audiolabelectronics.com offers a very reasonable degaussing service, and also sells, rents, and leases degaussing equipment. An Internet search will reveal several other degaussing equipment manufacturers.