Abstract: INTERMITTENT TAPE ERRORS WITH 4/10GB TAPE DRIVE
SYMPTOM:
- Excessive cleaning indications (Amber LED on solid)
- Tape drive not recognized on Channel 2 on the PCI RAID
Adapter (FRU P/N 06H5078 or 06H3059)
- Tape drive backup/restore fails (Amber LED flashes), but
is successful after the power is cycled
- Other unexplained intermittent tape backup failures
PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:
- The 4mm DAT tape drive is FRU P/N 16G8454 or FRU P/N 16G8456.
- The tape drive may have jumpers or dip switches.
- The tape drive may be 3.5" or 5.25" form factor.
FIX:
Read and understand this entire tip before attempting
to perform the actions below.
Note: For systems with an AT Fast SCSI adapter FRU P/N 82G4879
or FRU P/N 92F0330 refer to RETAIN tip H015029.
For tape cleaning procedures, refer to RETAIN tip H133024.
Update the tape drive with the latest microcode (UCODE).
The following two methods are available:
1. Microcode update utility diskette.
a. Download 4MMDAT4.EXE for tape drives with switches.
b. Download 4MMDAT5.EXE for tape drives with jumpers.
-OR-
2. Microcode update tape cartridge. Use this method for
updating tape drives connected to RAID adapters.
Note: For RAID systems, it is still necessary to download
the appropriate diskette so the current UCODE can
be determined using the /D option explained later.
In addition the file 4MMREAD.TXT can be viewed on-line
with a WEB browser and the file README.TXT, which is on
both utility diskettes, should be printed for detailed
instructions.
PROCEDURE TO DETERMINE THE CURRENT TAPE DRIVE UCODE LEVEL:
1. Boot the diskette made from the 4MMDAT?.EXE
Note: Error messages and beeps will be generated as many ASPI
device drivers attempt to load; these errors are normal
and should be ignored as the correct driver will load.
2. Type the following at the A: > prompt:
MU_TAPE4 /D <Enter> -OR-
MU_TAPE5 /D <Enter>.
Note: Either diskette will work with the display (/D) option.
The program will return the adapter information and pause for
the operator. The next screen will contain the drive
identification.
The information returned by the /D option will always indicate
an ARCHIVE drive in the Vendor Identification field. This is
normal. Refer to the Product Revision Level field, which will
return the current UCODE level (starting with 4 for drives with
switches and 5 for drives with jumpers).
The UCODE levels from older to newer are as follows:
ARCHIVE (with switches): 4.75, 4.AC, 4.AP, 4.BK, 4BKA, 4BKC
CONNOR and SEAGATE (with jumpers): 5.50, 5.77, 5AJ
If the UCODE level is BELOW the level listed in the chart
below, update the tape drive microcode using the diskette
procedure below.
-OR-
If the tape drive is attached to a RAID adapter AND the UCODE
level is BELOW the level listed in the chart below, call the IBM
PC HelpCenter at 1-800-772-2227 for a microcode update tape.
Please include the physical size of the tape drive (3.5" or
5.25") to insure that the proper tape is sent.
In addition, perform all of the following:
1. Tape drive stand-alone diagnostics. Use the diagnostic
tape cartridge.
2. Verify proper SCSI termination and cable connections
3. Verify tape media quality (IBM or Sony are recommended).
4. Clean tape drive (IBM cartridge is recommended).
5. Verify that all the software device drivers are installed
and that all the drivers are current.
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Latest |
|FRU Vendor Form Factor SCSI ID Configuration UCODE |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
|16G8454 Archive 5.25" switches 4BKC |
|16G8456 Archive 3.5" switches 4BKC |
|16G8454 Conner 5.25" jumpers 5AJ |
|16G8456 Conner 3.5" jumpers 5AJ |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Use one of the following procedures to update the microcode on
the 4/10GB tape drives. The update takes approximately one
to three minutes.
PROCEDURE TO UPDATE THE UCODE WITH THE UPDATE UTILITY DISKETTE:
1. If a tape is already present in the tape drive, eject the
tape prior to running the utility diskette.
2. Perform a shutdown of the operating system and power off
the system and insert the Utility Diskette.
3. If the tape drive is external, power it on first.
4. Power on the system which will boot the Utility Diskette.
5. Verify that the tape drive is functional by testing it
with the diagnostic tape cartridge. The tape will eject
when the diagnostic is complete.
6. Verify that the Utility Diskette is compatible with
the model tape drive you are upgrading. See the chart
above.
7. Follow the instructions in the README.TXT to ensure
that the correct device drivers are loaded.
8. Type MU_TAPE4 or MU_TAPE5 <Enter> and follow the on-screen
instructions. The microcode update takes approximately
one to three minutes.
9. When the update is complete, and all the lights on the tape
drive have been continuously off for 30 seconds, remove the
Utility Diskette and reboot the system.
PROCEDURE TO UPDATE THE UCODE WITH THE UPDATE TAPE CARTRIDGE:
Note: A microcode tape is unique and can only be used for a
microcode update. This tape cannot be duplicated
locally to another tape drive, copied to a system fixed
disk, or used as a backup or data tape because the tape
header has special code which executes immediately when
the tape is inserted into the tape drive. The tape cannot
respond to normal tape operations and is therefore not
usable for any other purpose.
Caution: Do not power down the tape drive during the three
minute microcode update process. This will cause
damage to the tape drive.
1. Perform a shutdown of the operating system and power off the
system.
2. If the tape drive is external, power it on first.
3. Power on the system. Note: It is not necessary for the
tape drive to be connected to the SCSI bus for this update
process. If the unit is connected to the SCSI bus, there
should be no data activity on the bus (The operating system
should not be running), because bus activity will interfere
with the microcode update process.
4. Wait for the tape drive Power-On Self Test to complete.
This takes approximately ten(10) seconds. Three(3) LEDs
flash briefly, then the left LED blinks for 10 seconds.
5. If a tape is already present in the tape drive, wait for
the drive to complete the self test, then manually eject
the tape by pressing the eject button.
6. Verify that the tape drive is functional by testing it
with the diagnostic tape cartridge. The tape will eject
when the diagnostic is complete.
7. Clean the tape drive with the tape cleaning cartridge.
The tape will eject when the cleaning is complete.
8. There are two fully compatible, but slightly different
versions of the tape drive, therefore you may have received
two different types of tape cartridges. Only one is
compatible with your tape drive. If you insert the
incorrect tape no damage or harm will result. An
incompatible tape cartridge will be rejected by the tape
drive and the tape will be quickly ejected. If this
happens, just remove it and insert the other cartridge
which should be compatible.
a. The microcode update tape is unique and cannot be copied
locally on any tape drive or system, due to special code
written on the header of the tape.
b. The microcode tape may only be used 50 times. Prior
to the update, an update counter record is read and
if the number of operations exceeds fifty (50), the
update will abort. This minimizes the chance of a worn
tape causing a failure during the update process, and
rendering the tape drive unusable. The tape can not be
used for any other purpose, so should then be discarded.
9. Insert the microcode update tape. The update process will
start automatically and take up to three(3) minutes to
complete. During the update, the tape drive LEDs will
flash and the cartridge will then be ejected and the LEDs
will continue to flash for approximately 30 seconds.
Caution: The update is not complete until thirty (30) seconds
after the tape has been ejected AND the LEDs have stopped
flashing.
Customers are responsible for cleaning the tape drive with a
cleaning cartridge. Customers may order this cartridge as
FRU P/N 21F8763.
+----------------------- IMPORTANT ----------------------------+
| |
| Diskette images are customer installable. Customers should |
| review any "README" files located on the diskette for |
| installation information. Contact the IBM PC HelpCenter at |
| 800-772-2227 if download/installation assistance is needed. |
| |
| IBM PC Server files are located in Directory 22 on the PC |
| Company Bulletin Board Service (BBS) at 1-919-517-0001 or |
| tieline 255-0001. |
| The files may also be downloaded via the Internet from the |
| IBM PC File Library by searching the following Internet URL:|
| http://www.pc.ibm.com/files.html |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Please see the LEGAL - Trademark notice.
Feel free - send a 
for any BUG on this page found - Thank you.