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Service Hints & Tips |
Document ID: MCGN-3LRJWM |
Servers - Adaptec tape drive considerations
Applicable to: World-Wide
1. If the customer incurs intermittent backup problems or "SCSI Timeout Errors" in the operation of their tape unit, the "Maximum Sync Transfer Rate" for the device may be set higher than the unit can handle. This parameter is located under "SCSI Device Configuration" in SCSI Select. Set this to it's lowest setting for the SCSI ID for the tape drive (on non ultra adapters this is "5", on ultra adapters it is "10").
2. The Autoloader is a Multi LUN device. New Adaptec Controllers now have a selection to disable Multi LUN Support, located under "Advanced Configuration Options". This must be enabled for the autoloader, whether the BIOS is enabled or disabled.
3. Tape drive ID's should generally be set to lowest priority, although often they are set to a higher priority than a CD ROM device. Neither tape drives or CD ROM's should have a higher priority than hard drives. ID's 5 or 6 are recommended for these devices on Adaptec controllers.
4. Ensure that Reverse BIOS scan is not enabled on controllers that allow it. This can cause the tape unit to be confused as a boot device at ID 6.
5. The 4/10 4mm Tape Drive has a disturbance light, which appears as a lightning bolt on the drive. It times usage and will light automatically to request cleaning, or will light to show a drive malfunction. (A tape cleaning cartridge is supplied with the unit. Additional cartridges are available from Lexmark.) The following should be done according to the condition of this light:
Condition: The tape light is on solid. Solution: Clean the tape once.
Condition: The tape light is flashing. Solution: Clean the tape 4 times.
If the above actions don't cause the light to go out, contact IBM Serve and have the drive replaced.
Refer to the Adaptec general hardware troubleshooting procedure and the Adaptec chipset SCSI device checklist for specifics on resolving SCSI ID conflicts and other configuration issues.
Search Keywords |
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Hint Category |
Tape Drives | |
Date Created |
09-09-97 | |
Last Updated |
07-01-99 | |
Revision Date |
07-01-2000 | |
Brand |
IBM PC Server | |
Product Family |
Servers | |
Machine Type |
Various | |
Model |
Various | |
TypeModel |
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Retain Tip (if applicable) |
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