Exabyte 8505XL User Manual

8505XL 8-mm Tape Drive  
Owner’s Guide  
Document Number 007-3086-001  
Contents  
List of Figures  
v
List of Tables vii  
About This Guide ix  
Typographical Conventions  
x
1.  
Installation  
Products that Support the 8505XL  
Preparing for Installation  
Ensuring ESD Protection  
Unpacking the Tape Drive and Saving the Materials  
Checking the Tape Drive Accessories  
1
1
2
2
3
3
Installing the Tape Drive  
Setting the SCSI ID  
3
3
Configuring the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation  
7
Terminating the SCSI Bus  
Installing the Tape Drive  
8
8
Installing Into a Horizontal Drive Bay  
Installing Into a Vertical Drive Bay  
9
9
Turning On Power to the Tape Drive 12  
Installing Your Driver Software 12  
Testing Your Installation 12  
iii  
Contents  
2.  
Operating the Tape Drive 17  
Reading the LEDs 17  
Selecting Data Cartridges 19  
Write-Protecting a Data Cartridge 20  
Loading a Data Cartridge 20  
Unloading a Data Cartridge 21  
Resetting the Tape Drive 21  
3.  
Preventive Maintenance 23  
Recommended Cleaning Cartridges 23  
Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive 23  
Using the Cleaning Cartridge 24  
Caring for Data Cartridges 25  
Replacing Data Cartridges 26  
4.  
Troubleshooting 27  
Problems With Tape Drive Installation 27  
Problems With Tape Drive Operation 28  
A.  
Tape Drive Specifications 31  
iv  
List of Figures  
Figure 1-1  
Figure 1-2  
Figure 1-3  
Figure 1-4  
Figure 1-5  
Figure 1-6  
Figure 1-7  
Figure 2-1  
Figure 2-2  
Removing/Installing the Drive From/On the Drive Sled  
Setting the SCSI ID (Default Setting Shown)  
Setting the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation  
5
6
8
Installing the Tape Drive Into a Horizontal Drive Bay 10  
Installing the Tape Drive Into a Vertical Drive Bay 11  
Write-Enable/Disable Switch 13  
Loading a Data Cartridge 14  
8505XL Front Panel 18  
Unload Button 21  
v
vi  
List of Tables  
Table 1-1  
Table 2-1  
Table 2-2  
Table A-1  
Problems and Possible Solutions 15  
LED States and Interpretations 18  
8505XL Tape Capacity 19  
Drive Specifications 31  
vii  
viii  
About This Guide  
This guide helps you set up, install, and operate the 8505XL tape drive. The  
8505XL uses 8-mm format tapes and installs in most of the existing Silicon  
Graphics© systems and data storage units that support single-ended,  
front-loading drives (FLDs).  
Note: For a list of products that currently support the 8505XL tape drive, see  
Products that Support the 8505XLon page 1.  
This document is organized as follows:  
Chapter 1  
Chapter 2  
Chapter 3  
Chapter 4  
Installationdescribes how to install the drive and test the  
installation.  
Operating the Tape Driveshows how to read the drive  
LEDs, select tape cartridges, and load or unload tapes.  
Preventive Maintenancedescribes how and when to  
clean the tape drive.  
Troubleshootingprovides suggestions on solving tape  
drive problems.  
Appendix A Tape Drive Specicationslists the physical,  
environmental, electrical, and performance specications  
for the 8505XL.  
ix  
About This Guide  
Typographical Conventions  
These type conventions and symbols are used throughout this guide:  
Italics  
Filenames, variables, IRIX® command arguments, command ags, titles of  
publications, icon names.  
Screen type Code examples, le excerpts, and screen displays (including error messages).  
Bold Screen type  
User input.  
()  
(Parentheses) Following IRIX commands, they surround the reference page (man  
page) section where the command is described. For example, grep (1).  
[]  
#
(Brackets) Surround optional syntax statement arguments.  
IRIX shell prompt for the superuser (root).  
x
Chapter 1  
1.  
Installation  
This chapter provides information for the following tasks:  
preparing for installation  
installing the tape drive  
installing the software driver  
Note: The 8505XL requires either IRIX 5.3, 6.1 or later software. If your  
system already has IRIX 6.1, software driver installation is not required.  
testing your installation  
To install the tape drive properly, follow all of the instructions in this chapter.  
You can use the checklist at the beginning of each section to keep track of the  
steps you need to perform.  
Caution: The tape drives described in this manual are single-ended SCSI  
devices. Do not install the tape drive on a differential SCSI bus.  
Products that Support the 8505XL  
The 8505XL currently installs in the following Silicon Graphics systems and  
data storage units:  
CHALLENGEand POWER CHALLENGE XL (rackmount) and L  
(deskside) systems  
Onyx and POWER Onyxrackmount and deskside systems  
CHALLENGE Vault XL  
CHALLENGE Vault L  
CHALLENGE S  
1
Chapter 1: Installation  
Preparing for Installation  
To prepare for installation, follow the steps described in this chapter.  
1. Ensure ESD protection (see Ensuring ESD Protectionon page 2).  
2. Unpack the tape drive and save the packing materials (see Unpacking  
the Tape Drive and Saving the Materialson page 3).  
3. Check the tape drive accessories (see Checking the Tape Drive  
Accessorieson page 3).  
Ensuring ESD Protection  
If you are installing an internal tape drive, follow these procedures to protect  
the tape drive from electrostatic discharge (ESD):  
Attach a ground strap to your wrist when connecting/disconnecting  
the drive.  
Do not disconnect the power cord from the wall socket and the chassis if  
you are servicing a system or installing a hardware upgrade. You will  
lose the system ground and could damage the equipment as a result.  
Ensure that you and all electrical equipment that you handle during  
this installation are at ground potential to avoid damage from ESD.  
Leave the tape drive in its antistatic bag until you are ready to install it.  
When possible, remove the internal tape drive from its bag and install it  
directly into the computer without setting it down. If you must lay the  
tape drive down, place it on top of the antistatic bag or mat.  
If possible, use an antistatic mat and grounded static protection  
wristband. If a mat and wristband are unavailable, touch a known  
grounded surface (such as your computers metal chassis) to discharge  
static electricity from your body before handling the tape drive.  
Limit your movement. Movement can cause static electricity to build  
up around you.  
Handle the tape drive carefully and by the edges.  
Do not place the tape drive on top of the computer or on a metal table.  
2
Installing the Tape Drive  
Unpacking the Tape Drive and Saving the Materials  
Carefully remove the tape drive from its box. Save all the original packaging  
materials in case you need to reship the tape drive. The tape drives  
packaging helps protect the tape drive from shock, vibration, moisture, and  
electrostatic discharge (ESD).  
Checking the Tape Drive Accessories  
The 8505XL includes the following items:  
tape drive  
160-meter XL cartridge tape  
cleaning tape  
SCSI ID jumpers  
software CD  
Installing the Tape Drive  
Installing your tape drive requires the following general tasks:  
1. Set the SCSI ID.  
2. Install the tape drive in an empty drive bay.  
3. Power on the tape drive.  
4. Install your software driver, if required.  
5. Test your installation.  
Setting the SCSI ID  
Each device attached to a SCSI bus must have a unique address or SCSI ID.  
This SCSI ID, which can be a value from 0 through 7, allows the host  
computer to communicate with the specic devices attached to the bus.  
3
Chapter 1: Installation  
Before setting the tape drives SCSI ID, determine the SCSI IDs of all the  
other SCSI devices currently attached to your bus (for example, a hard drive  
or a CD-ROM reader).  
Caution: SCSI ID 0 is reserved for the system controller and cannot be used.  
The tape drive is shipped with the SCSI ID set to 6. If you are installing the tape  
drive on an existing SCSI bus and another device (for example, a hard drive)  
is already assigned to that ID, you must change the tape drives ID.  
Follow these steps to change the SCSI ID of the 8505XL:  
Note: The 8505XL SCSI jumpers are located in the back of the drive and are  
covered by the drive sled hardware. To change the SCSI ID, you must  
remove the 8505XL from the drive sled.  
4
Installing the Tape Drive  
1. Remove the four screws that secure the drive to the bottom of the  
mounting sled (see Figure 1-1) and set them aside.  
Exabyte drive  
Power  
connector  
Data  
connector  
cable  
A
Drive sled  
SCSI channel  
adapter board  
Figure 1-1  
Removing/Installing the Drive From/On the Drive Sled  
2. Remove the drive adapter and power cables from the 8505XL (see  
Figure 1-1) and then place the drive on an anti-static surface.  
3. Locate the SCSI ID jumper block on the back of the tape drive (see  
Figure 1-2).  
5
Chapter 1: Installation  
1
2
3
4
5
6
SCSI ID  
0
4
1
5
2
6
3
7
Figure 1-2  
Setting the SCSI ID (Default Setting Shown)  
4. Using a pair of at-nose pliers, slide the small plastic jumpers over the  
pins on the jumper block to obtain the desired address. Extra jumpers  
are shipped in a separate bag. Save the unused jumpers in case you  
need to select a different SCSI ID later.  
Caution: Do not allow loose jumpers to fall inside the tape drive.  
5. After changing the SCSI ID, place the tape drive back on the drive sled  
(see Figure 1-1).  
6. Reconnect the drive adapter and power cables (see Figure 1-1).  
6
Installing the Tape Drive  
7. Install the four screws that secure the bottom of the drive to the drive  
sled (see Figure 1-1).  
Configuring the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation  
The 8505XL drive sled assembly houses a SCSI channel adapter board. You  
must ensure that the drive sled assembly is set to single-ended operation.  
Caution: Use proper handling and storage procedures to minimize the loss  
of data and equipment. In particular, do not remove disk drives while they  
are operating. Always power off the system before removing a front-loading  
drive (FLD). Be sure to use standard electrostatic discharge prevention  
precautions when removing, storing, transporting, or replacing an FLD.  
To determine the sled board settings, do the following:  
Be sure the sled-to-drive connector cable is plugged into the correct  
SCSI channel. Single-ended is A; differential is B. Plug the cable to  
channel A (see Figure 1-3).  
Set both jumper blocks H1 and H2 on the sled board to reect the SCSI  
channel operation, regardless of which channel is plugged into the  
drive.  
7
Chapter 1: Installation  
Single−ended, 50−pin SCSI drive on channel A  
No jumpers set;  
reserved for future use.  
B
A
A
Channel A =  
single−ended  
H1  
Channel B =  
H2  
differential  
A
B
Figure 1-3  
Setting the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operation  
Note: Your system disk should always be set to SCSI ID 1. Be sure each SCSI  
device on a bus has a unique SCSI address (ID). The SCSI bus cannot  
function properly if more than one device has the same SCSI ID.  
Terminating the SCSI Bus  
The internal SCSI channels in a rackmount or deskside system and a data  
storage unit are congured so that front-loading devices (FLDs) can be  
added or removed without affecting the channel termination. No additional  
termination is required.  
Installing the Tape Drive  
The drive must be properly mounted on a drive sled and congured for a  
channel and single-ended operating protocol, as described in Conguring  
the Drive Sled for Single-Ended Operationon page 7.  
8
Installing the Tape Drive  
Follow these instructions to install a half-height front-loading device:  
Installing Into a Horizontal Drive Bay  
Follow these instructions to install the drive into a horizontal drive bay.  
1. Orient the FLD and sled assembly so that the connectors on the back are  
on the bottom half of the drive and face away from you (see Figure 1-4).  
2. Carefully insert the device into the drive bay until it seats rmly into  
the lever catch and the locking lever has moved all the way to the right.  
Installing Into a Vertical Drive Bay  
Follow these instructions to install the drive (sideways) into a vertical drive  
bay.  
1. Orient the FLD relative to the drive bay so that the drive is facing  
toward the right (see Figure 1-5).  
2. Select a vacant drive bay and carefully align the rails on the drive sled  
with the corresponding rails in the drive bay.  
3. Slide the FLD into the bay until the locking mechanism is engaged and  
the locking lever on the drive sled moves down to the locked position.  
Push the lever down to ensure that it is fully engaged.  
9
Chapter 1: Installation  
Slide drive lever  
left to lock sled  
Drive lever in  
locked position  
Figure 1-4  
Installing the Tape Drive Into a Horizontal Drive Bay  
10  
Installing the Tape Drive  
Drive sled  
Drive  
Figure 1-5  
Installing the Tape Drive Into a Vertical Drive Bay  
11  
Chapter 1: Installation  
Turning On Power to the Tape Drive  
When power is applied to the 8505XL, watch for the following:  
All three of the tape drives LEDs light.  
The tape drives 30-second power-on self-test begins.  
When the self-test is complete, the top and bottom LEDs turn off; the  
middle LED is off or ashes irregularly.  
Caution: Do not insert a data cartridge into the tape drive during the  
self-test. The tape drive will eject it. If the top LED does not go out after the  
self-test, an error has occurred. Contact your service provider for further  
assistance.  
Installing Your Driver Software  
The 8505XL requires IRIX 5.3, 6.1, or later software for proper operation. If  
your system has IRIX 5.3, an 8505XL software driver from a CD must be  
installed. If your system has IRIX 6.1 or later software, no additional driver  
software is required. See the software release notes for further information  
on installing software.  
Testing Your Installation  
After installing your tape drive and driver software (if required), check the  
installation by performing a simple backup and restore operation to verify  
that your software and tape drive are communicating properly before you  
begin operation.  
Note: If this is the rst time you have used the tape drive or if the tape drive  
has been stored for six months or more, repeat steps 4 and 5 of the following  
procedure at least two times or for two hours (whichever is greater).  
To check the installation, follow these steps:  
12  
Installing the Tape Drive  
1. Locate a data cartridge that does not contain any valuable information  
and make sure that its write-protect switch is set to write-enable (see  
Figure 1-6).  
2. Gently push the data cartridge as shown (in Figure 1-7) until the load  
mechanism pulls the cartridge into the drive.  
REC  
REC  
SAVE  
SAVE  
Write enable  
Write protect  
Figure 1-6  
Write-Enable/Disable Switch  
13  
Chapter 1: Installation  
Figure 1-7  
Loading a Data Cartridge  
3. Wait while the tape drive loads the tape, determines the tape format,  
and positions the tape to the logical beginning of the tape (LBOT). This  
takes about 45 seconds. When the green LED is on solid, the tape drive  
is ready.  
14  
Installing the Tape Drive  
4. Perform a backup operation to write a small amount of data to the tape  
(see your IRIX administration documentation, as required).  
5. Rewind the tape and read the data written in step 4 and compare it to  
the original. This determines whether the software and tape drive are  
functioning properly.  
If problems occur, see Table 1-1.  
Table 1-1  
Problem  
Problems and Possible Solutions  
Corrective action  
The tape drive does not successfully read Check the following:  
and write data.  
Are you using the correct type of data  
cartridge (see Selecting Data  
Cartridgeson page 19).  
Is the data cartridge write enabled?  
Is your software correctly installed  
and congured?  
Press the unload button and remove  
the data cartridge. Repeat steps 2  
through 5 (see Checking the Tape Drive  
Accessorieson page 3) using a different  
data cartridge. If the error occurs again,  
refer to Chapter 4.  
The tape drives LEDs are on or ashing. See Chapter 2.  
You are unable to resolve the problem  
yourself.  
See your service provider.  
15  
Chapter 1: Installation  
16  
Chapter 2  
2.  
Operating the Tape Drive  
This section includes information about the following:  
reading the tape drives LEDs  
selecting data cartridges  
setting the write-protect switch on the data cartridge  
loading and unloading a data cartridge  
Reading the LEDs  
The tape drive uses three LEDs (Figure 2-1) to indicate its operating states.  
The LEDs indicate the following general conditions:  
When the top (orange) LED is ashing, the tape drive has an error or  
needs cleaning.  
When the middle LED is on or ashing, SCSI bus activity is occurring.  
The middle LED can be orange or green as follows:  
Orange  
The tape loaded in the tape drive is in one of the  
compression formats (8500c or 8200c). When the tape is  
8500c format, the LED is always orange even though  
compression can be turned off.  
Green  
The tape loaded in the tape drive is in one of the  
non-compression formats (8500 or 8200).  
When the bottom (green) LED is on, a data cartridge is loaded in the  
tape drive. When this LED is ashing, the tape is moving or the tape  
drives needs cleaning.  
Table 2-1 shows a specic combination of LEDs that may occur during tape  
drive operation and the tape drive states that they indicate.  
17  
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive  
Unload button  
Error indicator (orange)  
SCSI bus activity indicator  
(green or orange)  
Tape motion indicator  
(green)  
Figure 2-1  
8505XL Front Panel  
Note: You may occasionally observe LED combinations and sequences not  
described in Table 2-1. These other combinations represent special or  
unusual conditions that are beyond the scope of this table.  
Table 2-1  
LED State  
LED States and Interpretations  
Top LED (errors)  
Middle LED (SCSI)  
Bottom LED  
(motion)  
Self-test start  
Self-test end  
On  
On  
On (green)  
On  
Off  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
Self-test fails  
Ready (no tape)  
Ready (tape)  
Flashing (fast)  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
Off  
Off  
Off  
Off  
Off  
On  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
Off  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
On  
Normal tape  
motion  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
Flashing (slowly)  
Flashing (fast)  
On  
High-speed tape  
motion  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
SCSI bus reset  
Flashing  
(irregularly)  
18  
Selecting Data Cartridges  
Table 2-1 (continued)  
LED States and Interpretations  
LED State  
Top LED (errors)  
Middle LED (SCSI)  
Bottom LED  
(motion)  
Error  
Flashing (slowly)  
Flashing  
Off  
(irregularly)  
Time to clean  
Flashing (fast)  
Flashing  
Flashing (fast)  
(irregularly)  
Note: The LEDs ash at different speeds to distinguish between states:  
slow ash = 1 ash/second  
fast ash = 4 ashes/second  
Irregular ash = rate of ash varies with SCSI bus activity. If the device  
is not connected to the bus, the LED is off.  
Selecting Data Cartridges  
Silicon Graphics recommends that you use EXATAPE8-mm data  
cartridges from Exabyte Corporation.  
Caution: Always use data-grade media data cartridges. Never use  
video-grade tape for data storage. Video-grade tape can be less accurate than  
data-grade tape when recording high-density data. The video-grade tape is  
also more abrasive to tape-drive recording heads.  
The 8505XL drive supports 15-m, 54-m, 112-m, and 160-m XL tapes (see  
Table 2-2).  
Table 2-2  
8505XL Tape Capacity  
Data Cartridge  
15 m  
Capacity  
1.2 GB  
4.8 GB  
10 GB  
54 m  
112 m  
160 m XL (see Note)  
14 GB  
19  
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive  
Note: The EXATAPE 160-m XL data cartridges contain a recognition system  
stripe located on the tape leader for media identication. The 8505XL uses  
this stripe to distinguish data-quality metal-particle media, such as  
EXATAPE, from other 160-m media.  
To maintain data integrity, the 8505XL automatically ejects 160-m data  
cartridges or equivalent length video cartridges that are not equipped with  
the recognition system stripe.  
Write-Protecting a Data Cartridge  
Before loading a data cartridge in the tape drive, make sure that the  
write-protect switch on the cartridge is set correctly for the desired operation  
(see Figure 1-6 in Chapter 1). You can use a ball-point pen or similar  
instrument to set the write-protect switch, as shown.  
Loading a Data Cartridge  
To load a data cartridge into the tape drive, follow these steps:  
1. Make sure that the write-protect switch has been set correctly for the  
desired operation, as explained on Write-Protecting a Data Cartridge”  
on page 20.  
2. If you have just turned on your system, be sure that the bottom and top  
LEDs are off, indicating that the tape drive has passed its power-on  
self-test and is ready to load the data cartridge.  
3. Gently push the data cartridge into the tape drive (see Figure 1-7 in  
Chapter 1) until the load mechanism pulls the data cartridge into the  
tape drive.  
20  
Unloading a Data Cartridge  
Unloading a Data Cartridge  
The unload button is the only operating control on the tape drive. It is used  
to unload the data cartridge from the tape drive (see Figure 2-2).  
Note: You can use the unload button to clear some hardware errors. If a  
hardware error occurs, press the unload button to reset the tape drive.  
To unload a data cartridge, press the unload button. The tape drive  
completes the current operation, writes any buffered data to tape, rewinds  
the tape, unloads the tape from the tape path, and ejects the cartridge.  
Unload  
button  
Figure 2-2  
Unload Button  
Note: If an error occurs before or during the unload procedure, the unload  
sequence will be suspended and the orange LED will ash. To clear the error,  
press the unload button again. The unload sequence will be reattempted.  
However, unwritten data in the buffer will not be written to the tape. The  
buffer and errors will be cleared.  
Resetting the Tape Drive  
Occasionally the tape drive may experience an error that cannot be cleared  
by pressing the unload button. If this happens, reset the tape drive by  
turning the power off, then on again.  
Caution: Powering off the tape drive may reset the SCSI bus. To prevent  
possible loss of data, make sure that any other devices on the SCSI bus are  
inactive and have completed all requested operations before powering off  
the tape drive.  
21  
Chapter 2: Operating the Tape Drive  
22  
Chapter 3  
3.  
Preventive Maintenance  
The only routine maintenance required by the tape drive is regular cleaning  
of the tape drive heads and tape path. Proper storage and maintenance of  
your data cartridges maximizes the shelf life of your tapes and assures data  
integrity.  
Recommended Cleaning Cartridges  
Silicon Graphics recommends that you clean your tape drive with the  
Exabyte 8 mm cleaning cartridge (supplied with your package) or an  
Exabyte-approved cartridge. Using this cleaning cartridge regularly allows  
you to maintain data integrity and improve reliability of the tape drive.  
Caution: Using a cleaning method or cleaner other than the recommended  
brand can void the tape drive warranty and possibly lead to premature wear  
of the recording head.  
Determining When to Clean the Tape Drive  
You should clean the tape drives heads either once a month or after every  
30 tape motion hours (or more frequently if you are operating in a  
particularly dirty environment).  
The tape drive keeps track of its tape motion hours internally. When 30 tape  
motion hours have elasped, the top and bottom LEDs will ash rapidly and  
the middle LED will ash irregularly, depending on SCSI bus activity. For  
best results, clean the tape drive as soon as possible after the LEDs begin  
ashing. Table 2-1 in Chapter 2 describes the LED pattern indicating that the  
tape drive needs cleaning.  
23  
Chapter 3: Preventive Maintenance  
Using the Cleaning Cartridge  
To use the cleaning cartridge, follow these steps:  
1. Make sure that the tape drive is on and has run the power-on self-test in  
Table 2-1 in Chapter 2.  
2. Remove any data cartridge from the tape drive.  
3. Check the cleaning cartridge to see if there is sufcient cleaning  
material remaining on the supply reel. If there is no cleaning material  
remaining, discard the cleaning cartridge and use a new one.  
The 8505XL ships with a cleaning cartridge that can be used for up to  
nine cleanings.  
Caution: Do not rewind and reuse the cleaning cartridge. Reusing a  
cleaning cartridge redistributes contaminants previously removed from  
the tape path.  
4. Insert the cleaning cartridge into the tape drive. The cleaning cycle is  
performed automatically by the tape drive and takes from 2 to 3  
minutes. When the cleaning cycle is complete, the cleaning cartridge is  
automatically unloaded and ejected from the tape drive.  
Note: If there are no more cleaning cycles remaining for the cleaning  
cartridge, the tape drive ejects it without completing the cleaning cycle.  
5. Conrm that a cleaning was done. Look at the LEDs on the front of the  
tape drive. If the cleaning cycle was successful, the top and bottom  
LEDs will be off. If the cleaning cycle was not performed, the LEDs will  
continue to ash.  
6. Store the cleaning cartridge for future use if it still has cycles remaining.  
Or, discard it if no more cleaning cycles remain. You may want to  
maintain a record of how many times the cleaning cartridge has been  
used.  
24  
Caring for Data Cartridges  
Caring for Data Cartridges  
To maximize the shelf life of your tapes and assure data integrity, follow  
these guidelines when storing data cartridges:  
Place a label or other reference information on the cartridge adjacent to  
the write-protect switch. On the label, you may want to include the  
cartridge number (log number), date of backup, and format of the tape.  
Keep cartridges in their protective boxes when not in use.  
Do not open the cartridges access door or touch the tape.  
Store cartridges in a cool, non-magnetic environment. Follow the  
cartridge manufacturers specications for storage temperature and  
other environmental requirements. Do not allow the temperature and  
humidity in the storage environment to uctuate.  
Keep the storage location as free of airborne particulates as possible. To  
eliminate obvious sources of particulates, do not permit anyone to  
smoke, eat, or drink near the storage area, and do not store cartridges  
near a copier or printer that may emit toner and paper dust.  
Store data cartridges as soon as possible after you have written data to  
them. Immediate storage helps avoid many of the conditions that can  
damage tapes, such as temperature and humidity uctuation,  
particulate contamination, and excessive handling.  
Store data cartridges with the write-protect switch in the protected  
position (see Write-Protecting a Data Cartridgeon page 20).  
Store each cartridge on one of its long edges, not at on its side. When a  
data cartridge is stored on its side, the tape inside the cartridge is  
actually on its edge. In this position, stress is placed on the tape edges  
and can lead to tape damage. For the same reason, never stack  
cartridges on top of each other or lean them at an angle for extended  
periods of time.  
25  
Chapter 3: Preventive Maintenance  
Replacing Data Cartridges  
Approximately once each year, you may want to read all information on a  
tape and check the read error statistics. If errors have increased signicantly  
since the previous test or if they exceed a certain predetermined threshold,  
you should rearchive the data to a new tape and discard the old tape.  
26  
Chapter 4  
4.  
Troubleshooting  
This chapter provides suggestions for solving problems that may occur  
when you are installing and operating your tape drive. These suggestions  
are divided into the following sections:  
problems with tape drive installation  
problems with the tape drive operation  
Often you can solve a tape drive problem by trying the steps recommended  
here. If your problem persists, contact your service provider.  
Problems With Tape Drive Installation  
Most problems during installation occur because the SCSI bus or the backup  
software is not correctly congured. If your tape drive and backup software  
are not communicating after installation or your software reports a  
hardware error, check the following:  
Make sure that all devices on the SCSI bus are single ended.  
Make sure that the SCSI ID you selected for the tape drive is not the  
same as the ID used by another SCSI device (see Setting the SCSI ID”  
on page 3).  
If you have IRIX 5.3, make sure that the additional driver software is  
installed on the system. IRIX 6.1 software already has the 8505XL driver  
in place.  
After checking all the items listed, reset the SCSI bus by resetting the system.  
Caution: To prevent possible loss of data, make sure that any other devices  
on the SCSI bus are inactive and have completed all requested operations  
before powering off the tape drive or resetting the bus.  
27  
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting  
Problems With Tape Drive Operation  
Most problems with tape drive operation occur with improper cartridge use.  
If you have been successfully operating your backup software and tape  
drive in the past, but are now experiencing problems reading and writing  
data, check the following:  
If you are writing data, make sure that the data cartridge is write  
enabled.  
Check the brand of data cartridge you are using. Silicon Graphics  
recommends using EXATAPE data cartridges (see Selecting Data  
Cartridgeson page 19).  
Note: When selecting extended-length tapes for XL tape drives, only  
use EXATAPE 160-m XL 8 mm data cartridges. Any other type of  
extended-length tape may be automatically ejected (see Selecting Data  
Cartridgeson page 19).  
Make sure that you are inserting the data cartridge correctly.  
If the data cartridge has been in use for a long time or has been used  
frequently, try using a new data cartridge.  
Determine whether the tape drive needs cleaning (see Determining  
When to Clean the Tape Driveon page 23).  
28  
Problems With Tape Drive Operation  
If you are experiencing operating problems loading or unloading a data  
cartridge, check the following:  
Make sure that your system is turned on. If the system is off, the tape  
drive may not eject the data cartridge.  
The tape drive may have experienced a hardware error. Press the  
unload button to clear the error, then try loading the data cartridge  
again.  
Caution: The rst time you load a data cartridge after clearing an error,  
use a data cartridge with no valuable information on it. Make sure that  
the tape drive can successfully unload the data cartridge before  
resuming operation.  
If the data cartridge still will not unload, power off your system, then  
reboot to reset the SCSI bus.  
Caution: To prevent possible loss of data, make sure that any other  
devices on the SCSI bus are inactive and have completed all requested  
operations before powering off the system to reset the SCSI bus.  
29  
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting  
30  
Appendix A  
A.  
Tape Drive Specications  
Table A-1 shows the specications for the 8505XL tape drive.  
Table A-1  
Drive Specications  
Parameter  
Interface  
Specications  
SCSI-1 and SCSI-2, single-ended  
Capacity  
8200 format  
8200c format  
262 KB/sec  
500 KB/sec  
Note: This assumes a 2:1 compression  
ratio  
8500 format  
8500c format  
Physical Characteristics  
Size  
500 KB/sec  
1 MB/sec  
1.62(4.1 cm) high  
5.75(14.6 cm) wide  
8(20.3 cm) deep  
Note: These measurements do not  
include the drive sled assembly.  
Weight  
2.6 pounds (1.2 kg)  
This measurement does not include the  
drive sled assembly.  
Environmental  
Ambient temperature  
Relative Humidity (operating)  
Wet bulb  
5˚ to 40˚ C * (41˚ F to 104˚F)  
20% to 80%, non-condensing  
25˚ C (75˚ F) maximum  
31  
Appendix A: Tape Drive Specifications  
Table A-1 (continued)  
Drive Specications  
Parameter  
Specications  
Power and Reliability  
Input voltages  
Standard + 5 VDC and +12 VDC 5%  
14.5 W  
Power consumption  
Mean time between failure  
160,0000 hours at 10% duty cycle  
32  

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