Troubleshooting Guide
Problems During Backup/Restore Operations
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Problems During Backup/Restore
Operations
Backup Failures
A Backup failure can be caused by various reasons. The LTO-2 half-height tape drive supports the
TapeAlert standard. The following troubleshooting steps start when software logs a TapeAlert mes-
sage. You can view the TapeAlert message either on the main console screen or in the backup soft-
ware’s log file. There may be more than one TapeAlert message per backup failure event.
1.
The TapeAlert message or backup log shows, “
The operation has stopped because
an error has occurred while reading or writing data which the drive
cannot correct.
” A media error occurred during write or read operation on the tape
drive. Review the troubleshooting procedures to ensure that the proper SCSI cabling and ter-
mination practices are being followed. Restart the backup if any changes are made to the
SCSI cabling or termination or if any cables or terminator are unplugged then re-plugged.
This message may also be seen with, “
The tape is from a faulty batch or the
tape drive is faulty.
” or “
The tape is damaged or the drive is faulty.
Call the tape drive supplier helpline.
” If either of these messages also
appears, use a good tape to test the drive. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier
helpline.
2.
Remove the data tape and insert a cleaning cartridge. After the cleaning cartridge ejects rein-
sert the data tape and restart the backup. If the backup succeeds, the problem is resolved.
3.
If the backup fails, try to isolate the tape media vs. tape drive. Use diagnostic software to per-
form a write/read test of 4GB of data. The current data on the tape WILL BE OVERWRITTEN
AND ALL PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN DATA ON THE TAPE WILL BE DESTROYED. Use a second
tape for the diagnostic test. If
the diagnostic test passes on the second tape, use the tape for
the backup process and remove the first tape from the backup process.
4.
If the diagnostic test fails on the second tape, insert a cleaning tape into the drive and repeat
the diagnostic write/read test. If the diagnostic test passes on the second tape, the problem is
resolved.
5.
If the diagnostic test fails on the second tape, the tape drive may be bad. Use the diagnostic
software to perform a write/read test on the first data tape. The current data on the tape WILL
BE OVERWRITTEN. ALL PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN DATA ON THE TAPE WILL BE DESTROYED. If
the diagnostic test passes on the first tape, the problem is resolved. If the diagnostic fails on
the first tape, the tape is bad and should not be used any longer.
6.
If a second data tape is not available to test with the diagnostic software, but a cleaning tape
is available, insert the cleaning tape. Remove the cleaning tape after the cleaning tape ejects
and restart the backup. If backup is successful, the tape drive and tape are satisfactory.
7.
If the backup fails, use the diagnostic software to perform a write/read test of 4GB of data.
The current data on the tape WILL BE OVERWRITTEN. ALL PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN DATA ON
THE TAPE WILL BE DESTROYED. If the tape drive passes the diagnostic write/read test, per-
form backup again. If the tape drive fails the diagnostic, the drive may be bad. Contact Tech-
nical Support.
