Check the white plastic write protect tab at the rear of the tape cartridge is
visible
Check media is recommended and has the DDS logo . All SureStore drives
manufactured since 1993 check the media for a special identification system
called MRS. If the media is not MRS (i.e. not data grade) it will be treated as
if it was write protected.
Then do this :
Use new media with the DDS-4 logo.
Do not try to use audio grade tapes, DAT tapes do not conform to the rigid
specifications of DDS media
Use only tapes that have the DDS logo or the MRS logo (see above) on them.
If this was not successful then call for
service
Unable to read pre written media from the
same drive written some time ago
All DDS compliant drives (from whatever manufacturer) should be able to read tapes
written on other DDS drives. If this doesn't happen, it is probably because one of the
drives is either writing tapes that are out of specification or is unable to read tapes
written in specification. First check :
Check which backups have been affected by this.
Check which drive is writing tapes out of specification. (Try reading a known
good, non-critical write protected tape in each or all drives, an
out-of-specification drive may have problems reading a known good tape.
The cleaning light will probably come on, or it will take a long time to come
ready)
Then do this :
If possible, copy data from media onto new recommended media.
Use new media for future backups.
Try reading the tape on the drive it was recorded or on another compatible
drive.
Work out which drive is writing tapes out of specification and call for
service
to swap out that drive
If this was not successful then call for
service
Periodic whirring noise is heard inside
the drive
Troubleshooting, Tape Drive
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