This is a normal function of the drive. The noise comes from the automatic head
cleaning mechanism.
If this noise is heard constantly, the drive is having trouble reading or writing the
tape. If you do hear this noise, try cleaning the drive more often and use a new tape.
If this was not successful then call for
service
Drive was part the way through the
backup, then stopped and is making
noises
In order to protect your valuable data, a DDS drive will constantly read back the data
that it just wrote to check it's integrity (read-after-write). If the drive has a problem
reading what it just wrote, it will try several strategies to ensure your data is being
written correctly. Among these strategies is a process to automatically clean the
read/write heads. This process is mechanical, and takes up to 7 minutes to complete.
The backup might appear to stop whilst the head clean is taking place and you may
hear noises made by the head cleaner.
First check :
Check drive has been cleaned using a recommended cleaning cartridge
Check age, condition and type of the media.
Check the
environmental conditions
for the drive & the media.
Then do this :
Clean the drive.
Use recommended new media. Correct environmental conditions and/or
ensure tapes are allowed to adjust to new environment before using.
Check the cleaning cartridge has not
expired
.
If this was not successful then call for
service
External drive has only one green light on
First check :
This is normal if there is no tape in the drive. There is normally a green
power light showing at the front of the EXTERNAL drive.
Then do this :
If you are sure there is a tape in the drive, but the left hand "Tape" LED
(light) is not illuminated, the drive might not be sensing the tape cartridge.
Then try to
power cycle
the drive.
Troubleshooting, Tape Drive
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