DLT 8000 Issue

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I have a DLT 8000 (40/80 GB) which does some peculiar things.

When I switch it on with a tape in it I get an a light display or “error-message” (up to 8 double-flash lights of all indicators down the left-hand side of the unit after which the unit returns to normal function) however the interesting thing is that this ONLY ever occurs when a tape is write-protected (indeed ALWAYS when the tape is write-protected). The behaviour is identical regardless of whether the tapes are Win2K/NT or Legato backup format and regardless of whether they are being tested independently or attached to a server.

I acquired a second DLT 8000 drive and tested that.

The “error message” occurs on both units only when tapes are write-protected and never when I they are not. There are no other signs of error on either unit and both drives, whilst second-user, were replaced due to upgrade to Super DLT not because of head wear.

Additionally I have performed a small backup sets on tapes that apparently caused the error after allowing them to load write-protected (generating the “error message”) and unlocking the write-protect tab. No issues were encountered.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

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One presumes you’ve tried the technical support chaps/ms-chaps of the manufacturer of the DLT drive? That’s where I’d go initially…

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Hi John,

Well I’ve looked all over their website and at the technical documentaion. Ultimately I will invoke warranty but I’d rather understand the issue first.

James

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Hi John,

Well I’ve looked all over their website and at the technical documentaion. Ultimately I will invoke warranty but I’d rather understand the issue first.

James

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Are you sure that what you’re getting is not simply an indication from the tape drive that the tape is write-protected? It’s a long time since I had to insert tapes in DLT drives, but I could have sworn that one of the lights (not all of them, flashing curiously) indicated Write-Protect…

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Hi John,

It could be but that seems a bit redundant since there is an actual write-protect indicator (the top one of the lights that starts flashing) comes on as a steady light. However that is indeed what it appears to indicate.

James

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Hi John,

It could be but that seems a bit redundant since there is an actual write-protect indicator (the top one of the lights that starts flashing) comes on as a steady light. However that is indeed what it appears to indicate.

James

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Are you sure that what you’re getting is not simply an indication from the tape drive that the tape is write-protected? It’s a long time since I had to insert tapes in DLT drives, but I could have sworn that one of the lights (not all of them, flashing curiously) indicated Write-Protect…

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One presumes you’ve tried the technical support chaps/ms-chaps of the manufacturer of the DLT drive? That’s where I’d go initially…

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… I got a new or recon unit back from HP and it, too, flashes the four lights (it was the right-hand side BTW, not the left as I first said) 8 times and does so regardless of format and will do so on a tape that is write-protected (ONLY & ALWAYS) and doesn’t do it when write-enabled. Just thought I’d let you know

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Can you get to talk to any of the HP techies?

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Can you get to talk to any of the HP techies?

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… I got a new or recon unit back from HP and it, too, flashes the four lights (it was the right-hand side BTW, not the left as I first said) 8 times and does so regardless of format and will do so on a tape that is write-protected (ONLY & ALWAYS) and doesn’t do it when write-enabled. Just thought I’d let you know

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