DLT7000 LED flash POST error codes

[hemiguy1977]

Hi!

I have a rather old DLT7000 drive that is part of a compaq TL881 tape
library. When the drive is powered up the drive beeps four times
quickly, pauses, and beeps one long beep. The "Write protect", "Tape
in Use" and "Use cleaning tape" LEDs flash, and the "operate handle"
LED stays on solid. Also, the handle release solenoid clicks as well,
but no other movements.

I've taken the top off the drive, and checked for a dropped leader,
the leader is in good shape.

I assume the flashing LEDs are an indication of some sort of error, is
there anyone here who might know what the error is?

Thanks!
-Rick

 

[Bob Larter]

Hi!

I have a rather old DLT7000 drive that is part of a compaq TL881 tape
library. When the drive is powered up the drive beeps four times
quickly, pauses, and beeps one long beep. The "Write protect", "Tape
in Use" and "Use cleaning tape" LEDs flash, and the "operate handle"
LED stays on solid. Also, the handle release solenoid clicks as well,
but no other movements.

I've taken the top off the drive, and checked for a dropped leader,
the leader is in good shape.

I assume the flashing LEDs are an indication of some sort of error, is
there anyone here who might know what the error is?

Damn, I don't have my copy of the manual on this machine, or I'd send
you a copy.
<rummages>
You can download it from Quantums website:
<http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/SoftwareandDocumentationDownloads/DLT7000/Index.aspx>

They also have diagnostic software, if you're running Windows.

 

[hemiguy1977]

Damn, I don't have my copy of the manual on this machine, or I'd send
you a copy.
<rummages>
You can download it from Quantums website:
<http://www.quantum.com/ServiceandSupport/SoftwareandDocumentationDown...>

They also have diagnostic software, if you're running Windows.

--
    W
  . | ,. w ,   "Some people are alive only because
   \|/  \|/     it is illegal to kill them."    Perna condita delenda est
---^----^---------------------------------------------------------------

I looked in the manual, and it says nothing about the LED or beep
codes - all I've been able to gather is all of the LEDS in the right
side (tape, wp, open handle, and cleaning) flashing means a dropped
leader, which, I've already determined is not the case. I believe that
the fact that the bottom (operate handle) LED is on steady while all
the other LEDs flash means some sort of error, but the hard part is
exactly what error it's trying to tell me!

I think what I need is the service manual for the drive - I'm not even
sure who originally made it - It's labelled "digital" inside (yes, as
in DEC), sold in a compaq tape library, which was OEMed by a company
called Overland.

At least I paid $10 for the unit, so I'm not out any major dough if I
can't fix it.

-Rick

 

[Bob Larter]

I looked in the manual, and it says nothing about the LED or beep
codes - all I've been able to gather is all of the LEDS in the right
side (tape, wp, open handle, and cleaning) flashing means a dropped
leader, which, I've already determined is not the case. I believe that
the fact that the bottom (operate handle) LED is on steady while all
the other LEDs flash means some sort of error, but the hard part is
exactly what error it's trying to tell me!

The operate handle LED being lit simply indicates that the door is unlocked.
It's also normal for the lights to all flash on power up - but they
should stop, plus you should only get one long beep, not a bunch of them.

I think what I need is the service manual for the drive

Well, that could be a problem. I've never been able to locate a service
manual for any of the DLT drives (I have a 8000 & a 7000 myself).

- I'm not even

sure who originally made it - It's labelled "digital" inside (yes, as
in DEC), sold in a compaq tape library, which was OEMed by a company
called Overland.

At least I paid $10 for the unit, so I'm not out any major dough if I
can't fix it.

Ayup.

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

Hi!

I have a rather old DLT7000 drive that is part of a compaq TL881 tape
library. When the drive is powered up the drive beeps four times
quickly, pauses, and beeps one long beep. The "Write protect", "Tape
in Use" and "Use cleaning tape" LEDs flash,

Do they flash together, or in sequence?

and the "operate handle"
LED stays on solid. Also, the handle release solenoid clicks as well,
but no other movements.

Last time I saw this it was due to a failed firmware flash. Re-flashing
the firmware takes a surprisingly long time, so people tend to panic and
assume something has gone wrong and pull the power to the drive. This,
of course, is the worst possible thing to do since it leaves the drive
with buggered firmware.

 

[hemiguy1977]

Do they flash together, or in sequence?

The three lights the flash, flash together, not in sequence.

Last time I saw this it was due to a failed firmware flash.  Re-flashing
the firmware takes a surprisingly long time, so people tend to panic and
assume something has gone wrong and pull the power to the drive.  This,
of course, is the worst possible thing to do since it leaves the drive
with buggered firmware.

I'm not sure if the firmware was attempted to be reflashed - This
drive came out of a library, so I don't think its likely. It does the
same thing whether I power it up attached to the library controller or
if I try to power it up on the bench.

-Rick

 

[hemiguy1977]

Do they flash together, or in sequence?

The three lights the flash, flash together, not in sequence.

Last time I saw this it was due to a failed firmware flash.  Re-flashing
the firmware takes a surprisingly long time, so people tend to panic and
assume something has gone wrong and pull the power to the drive.  This,
of course, is the worst possible thing to do since it leaves the drive
with buggered firmware.

I'm not sure if the firmware was attempted to be reflashed - This
drive came out of a library, so I don't think its likely. It does the
same thing whether I power it up attached to the library controller or
if I try to power it up on the bench.

-Rick

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

I'm not sure if the firmware was attempted to be reflashed - This
drive came out of a library, so I don't think its likely. It does the
same thing whether I power it up attached to the library controller or
if I try to power it up on the bench.

Exactly. The firmware is unable to fully initialise, so IF whst you
have is a case of failed firmware, you'll get that error whatever
happens.

As far as I remember, there are two sets of firmware on the DLT7000.
There's a basic firmware which brings the drive up, then another that
initialises the SCSI interface and brings the drive online (or vice
versa).

It's the second stage firmware that is re-flashed during an update. I
had two dead DLT7000s - one which was doing what you describe, and
another with (IIRC) a knackered head.

I made one working drive from the two by transferring the firmware board
from the one with bad heads to the one with the failed flash, then
successfully upgraded the firmware.

 

[hemiguy1977]

Exactly.  The firmware is unable to fully initialise, so IF whst you
have is a case of failed firmware, you'll get that error whatever
happens.

As far as I remember, there are two sets of firmware on the DLT7000.
There's a basic firmware which brings the drive up, then another that
initialises the SCSI interface and brings the drive online (or vice
versa).

It's the second stage firmware that is re-flashed during an update.  I
had two dead DLT7000s - one which was doing what you describe, and
another with (IIRC) a knackered head.  

I made one working drive from the two by transferring the firmware board
from the one with bad heads to the one with the failed flash, then
successfully upgraded the firmware.

Well, it turns out the board IS bad - I swapped mechanisms, and the
problem followed the board

Problem is, the unit is out of a Compaq TL881 loader (Made by
"overland") and as such it's "differential" SCSI board, and it has
some special OEM firmware, so its not like I can just use any board.

-Rick

 

[hemiguy1977]

Exactly.  The firmware is unable to fully initialise, so IF whst you
have is a case of failed firmware, you'll get that error whatever
happens.

As far as I remember, there are two sets of firmware on theDLT7000.
There's a basic firmware which brings the drive up, then another that
initialises the SCSI interface and brings the drive online (or vice
versa).

It's the second stage firmware that is re-flashed during an update.  I
had two dead DLT7000s - one which was doing what you describe, and
another with (IIRC) a knackered head.  

I made one working drive from the two by transferring the firmware board
from the one with bad heads to the one with the failed flash, then
successfully upgraded the firmware.

Well, it turns out the board IS bad - I swapped mechanisms, and the
problem followed the board

Problem is, the unit is out of a Compaq TL881 loader (Made by
"overland") and as such it's "differential" SCSI board, and it has
some special OEM firmware, so its not like I can just use any board.

-Rick