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Issue 3.3 February 2003 175
The following table describes the LED combinations that occur during normal tape drive
operation.
The tape drive monitors the number of correctable errors that occur during reading and
writing. If the number of errors becomes excessive, the tape may be nearing the end of its
useful life, or the tape heads may need cleaning.
● If the media caution signal displays (flashing amber), clean the tape drive.
● If the signal still displays after cleaning the heads, repeat the operation with a different
tape. If this clears the signal, the first tape is nearing the end of its life. Copy the data
onto a new tape and discard the old one.
The media caution signal is cleared when a new tape is loaded or when the drive is power-
cycled.
SLR5 tape drive – The SLR5 tape drive has a single LED that displays both green and
red. The tape drive LED shows the following status:
● Steady green when a tape is in the tape drive. If this occurs when you first insert a
cleaning cartridge, use a new cleaning cartridge.
● Flashing green when tape drive activity is occurring.
● Flashing red when a fault occurs. When this happens, eject the tape and reinsert the
tape. If this continues to occur, the tape is faulty and should be replaced.
XL/XS/DX tape drive – The tape drive LEDs show the following status:
● Top LED (amber) — When this LED is on or flashing, the tape drive has an error or
needs cleaning (see Cleaning the tape drive
on page 136).
● Middle LED (green) — When this LED is on or flashing, SCSI bus activity is occurring.
● Bottom LED (green) — When this LED is on, a tape is loaded. When this LED is
flashing, it indicates that tape motion is occurring or the tape drive needs cleaning.
Tape drive state
Activity
(load or
unload)
Activity
(read or
write)
Cartridge
loaded
Media
Caution
Signal
Fault Power-on
(starts with
two steady
lights)
Tape LED
(green)
Flashing Flashing
Fast
On Any Any Flashing
Clean LED
(amber)
Off Off Off Flashing On Off