2-7
Using Tape Cartridges
Drive Cleaning Messages
Using Tape Cartridges
Using Tapes
Table 2-2 Drive Cleaning Messages
If this happens: Reason: You need to:
A brand new tape
cartridge is used
and a drive
cleaning message
is received.
Debris from the
tape manufacturing
process was
deposited on the
drive head.
Clean the drive using the tape library cleaning procedure in
“Cleaning the Library Tape Drives” on page 3-23.
If the message is displayed again within a short amount of
time, replace the cartridge.
An older,
frequently used
tape cartridge is
loaded and a drive
cleaning message
is received.
Dust from frequent
tape loads and
unloads has
probably built up
on the tape
cartridge and was
deposited on the
drive head.
Clean the outside of the tape cartridge with a damp cloth.
Clean the tape drive using the tape drive cleaning procedure
in “Cleaning the Library Tape Drives” on page 3-23.
An older,
frequently used
tape causes a
cleaning message
to be displayed for
the second time.
The tape is
probably damaged.
(Damaged
cartridges can
cause unnecessary
use of the cleaning
cartridge.)
1. Verify the tape is readable by clearing the error message.
(Select the ONLINE REPAIR option from the control
panel. Turn off the drive containing the tape. Turn the
drive on again. (See “Using Online Drive Replacement”
on page 3-36).
2. Try reading the tape again:
• If the tape can be read, back up data from the
damaged cartridge to another tape cartridge and
discard the damaged one.
• If the tape cannot be read, call service.