Tape Drive Alerts

Tape drive alerts are informational, warning or critical notifications designed to provide real-time monitoring of the hardware operation status. They ensure quick detection and troubleshooting of various issues with tape drives.

Alert Code (Dec)

Alert Code (Hex)

Severity

Description

Cause

1

0x01

Warning

The tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape.

Read warning

2

0x02

Warning

The tape drive is having problems writing data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the capacity of the tape.

Write warning

3

0x03

Warning

The operation has stopped because an error has occurred while reading or writing data that the drive cannot correct.

Hard error

4

0x04

Critical

Your data is at risk:

  1. Copy any data you require from this tape.
  2. Do not use this tape again.
  3. Restart the operation with a different tape.

Media error

5

0x05

Critical

The tape is damaged or the drive is faulty. Call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Read failure

6

0x06

Critical

The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is faulty:

  1. Use a good tape to test the drive.
  2. If problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Write failure

7

0x07

Warning

The tape cartridge has reached the end of its calculated useful life:

  1. Copy data you need to another tape.
  2. Discard the old tape.

Media life

8

0x08

Warning

The tape cartridge is not data-grade. Any data you back up to the tape are at risk. Replace the cartridge with a data-grade tape.

Not data grade tape

9

0x09

Critical

You are trying to write to a write-protected cartridge. Remove the write-protection or use another tape.

Attempted backup to write-protected tape

10

0x0a

Information

You cannot eject the cartridge because the tape drive is in use. Wait until the operation is complete before ejecting the cartridge.

Tape drive is in use

11

0x0b

Information

The tape in the drive is a cleaning cartridge.

Attempted backup/restore to cleaning tape

12

0x0c

Information

You have tried to load a cartridge of a type which is not supported by this drive.

Unsupported cartridge type

13

0x0d

Critical

The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has experienced a mechanical failure:

  1. Discard the old tape.
  2. Restart the operation with a different tape.

Detected snapped tape

14

0x0e

Critical

The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has experienced a mechanical failure:

  1. Do not attempt to extract the tape cartridge.
  2. Call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Detected snapped tape

15

0x0f

Warning

The memory in the tape cartridge has failed, which reduces performance. Do not use the cartridge for further write operations.

Cartridge memory chip failure

16

0x10

Critical

The operation has failed because the tape cartridge was manually de-mounted while the tape drive was actively writing or reading.

Forced eject

17

0x11

Warning

You have loaded a cartridge of a type that is read-only in this drive. The cartridge will appear as write-protected.

Read-only format

18

0x12

Warning

The tape directory on the tape cartridge has been corrupted. File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data on the cartridge.

Tape directory corrupted in the cartridge memory

19

0x13

Information

The tape cartridge is nearing the end of its calculated life. It is recommended that you:

  1. Use another tape cartridge for your next backup.
  2. Store this tape in a safe place in case you need to restore data from it.

Nearing media life

20

0x14

Critical

The tape drive needs cleaning:

  1. If the operation has stopped, eject the tape and clean the drive.
  2. If the operation has not stopped, wait for it to finish and then clean the drive.

Check the tape drive user’s manual for device specific cleaning instructions.

Clean now

21

0x15

Warning

The tape drive is due for routine cleaning:

  1. Wait for the current operation to finish.
  2. Then use a cleaning cartridge.

Check the tape drive user’s manual for device specific cleaning instructions.

Clean periodic

22

0x16

Critical

The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive has worn out:

  1. Discard the worn out cleaning cartridge.
  2. Wait for the current operation to finish.
  3. Then use a new cleaning cartridge.

Expired cleaning media

23

0x17

Critical

The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive was an invalid type:

  1. Do not use this cleaning cartridge in this drive.
  2. Wait for the current operation to finish.
  3. Then use a new cleaning cartridge.

Invalid cleaning cartridge

24

0x18

Warning

The tape drive has requested a retention operation.

Request retention

25

0x19

Warning

A redundant interface port on the tape drive has failed.

Dual-port interface error

26

0x1a

Warning

A tape drive cooling fan has failed.

Cooling fan failure

27

0x1b

Warning

A redundant power supply has failed inside the tape drive enclosure. Check the enclosure user’s manual for instructions on replacing the failed power supply.

Power supply

28

0x1c

Warning

The tape drive power consumption is outside the specified range.

Power consumption is outside the specified range

29

0x1d

Warning

Preventive maintenance of the tape drive is required. Check the tape drive user’s manual for device specific preventive maintenance tasks or call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Preventative maintenance is required

30

0x1e

Critical

The tape drive has a hardware fault:

  1. Eject the tape or magazine.
  2. Reset the drive.
  3. Restart the operation.

Drive hardware fault

31

0x1f

Critical

The tape drive has a hardware fault:

  1. Turn the tape drive off and then on again.
  2. Restart the operation.
  3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Drive hardware fault

32

0x20

Warning

The tape drive has a problem with the application client interface:

  1. Check the cables and cable connections.
  2. Restart the operation.

Host interface fault

33

0x21

Critical

The operation has failed:

  1. Eject the tape or magazine.
  2. Insert the tape or magazine again.
  3. Restart the operation.

Eject media request

34

0x22

Warning

The firmware download has failed because you have tried to use the incorrect firmware for this tape drive. Obtain the correct firmware and try again.

Firmware download fault

35

0x23

Warning

Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified humidity range.

Humidity specification exceeded

36

0x24

Warning

Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified temperature range.

Temperature specification exceeded

37

0x25

Warning

The voltage supply to the tape drive is outside the specified range.

Voltage specification exceeded

38

0x26

Critical

A hardware failure of the tape drive is predicted. Call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Tape device predicted to fail

39

0x27

Warning

The tape drive may have a hardware fault. Run extended diagnostics to verify and diagnose the problem. Check the tape drive user’s manual for device specific instructions on running extended diagnostic tests.

Drive hardware fault

40

0x28

Critical

The changer mechanism is having difficulty communicating with the tape drive:

  1. Turn the autoloader off then on.
  2. Restart the operation.
  3. If problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Autoloader communication fault

41

0x29

Critical

A tape has been left in the autoloader by a previous hardware fault:

  1. Insert an empty magazine to clear the fault.
  2. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again.
  3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Detected stray tape in autoloader

42

0x2a

Warning

There is a problem with the autoloader mechanism.

Autoloader mechanism fault

43

0x2b

Critical

The operation has failed because the autoloader door is open:

  1. Clear any obstructions from the autoloader door.
  2. Eject the magazine and then insert it again.
  3. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again.
  4. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Autoloader door open

44

0x2c

Critical

The autoloader has a hardware fault:

  1. Turn the autoloader off and then on again.
  2. Restart the operation.
  3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Check the autoloader user’s manual for device specific instructions on turning the device power on and off.

Autoloader hardware fault

45

0x2d

Critical

The autoloader cannot operate without the magazine:

  1. Insert the magazine into the autoloader.
  2. Restart the operation.

Autoloader cannot operate without magazine

46

0x2e

Warning

A hardware failure of the changer mechanism is predicted. Call the tape drive supplier helpline.

Autoloader predicted to fail

47 – 49

0x2f – 0x31

 

These codes are reserved for future use.

 

50

0x32

Warning

Media statistics have been lost at some time in the past.

Media statistics is lost

51

0x33

Warning

The tape directory on the tape cartridge just unloaded has been corrupted. File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data.

Tape directory is corrupted

52

0x34

Critical

The tape just unloaded could not write its system area successfully:

  1. Copy data to another tape cartridge.
  2. Discard the old cartridge.

Tape system area write failure

53

0x35

Critical

The tape system are could not be read successfully at load time:

  1. Copy data to another tape cartridge.
  2. Discard the old cartridge.

Tape system area read failure

54

0x36

Critical

The start or data could not be found on the tape:

  1. Check you are using the correct format tape.
  2. Discard the tape or return the tape to your supplier.

Start of data not found

55

0x37

Critical

The operation has failed because the media cannot be loaded and threaded:

  1. Remove the cartridge, inspect it as specified in the product manual, and retry the operation.
  2. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier help line.

Load failure

56

0x38

Critical

The operation has failed because the medium cannot be unloaded:

  1. Do not attempt to extract the tape cartridge.
  2. Call the tape driver supplier help line.

Medium unload failure

57

0x39

Critical

The tape drive has a problem with the automation interface:

  1. Check the power to the automation system.
  2. Check the cables and cable connections.
  3. Call the supplier help line if problem persists.

Interface failure

58

0x3a

Warning

The tape drive has reset itself due to a detected firmware fault. If problem persists, call the supplier help line.

Firmware failure