Tape drive : "Sense Key: Media Error"

Asset ID:	1-72-1011056.1
Update Date:	2011-04-06
Keywords:

Solution Type Problem Resolution Sure

Solution 1011056.1 : Tape drive : "Sense Key: Media Error"

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Related Categories


GCS>Sun Microsystems>Storage - Tape>Drives - Misc

PreviouslyPublishedAs
215222

Applies to:

Sun Storage DDS-3 Tape Drive
Sun Storage DDS-4 Tape Drive
Sun StorageTek 9840B Tape Drive
Sun Storage DAT 72 Tape Drive
Sun SPARCstorage DLT4000 Tape Drive
All Platforms
Checked for relevance on 6-Apr-2011.

Symptoms

Problems relating to the use of a tape drive are reported as "Sense Key: Media Error".

Changes

{CHANGE}

Cause

{CAUSE}

Solution

Resolution
When problems relating to the use of a tape drive are reported as "Sense Key: Media Error" the fault is with the tape media(that is: the tape itself), not the tape drive.

Remove the faulty tape media from the drive and do not re-use it.

Record the date, drive and media ID.
This is very helpful for on-going, recurring or complex issues.

Do not replace the drive.
If faulty tape media had damaged the tape drive, it would also be
reporting other errors (that is, non "media" errors).

Do not clean the drive.
If dirty tape media had caused the drive to need cleaning in an LTO or DLT
drive the drive cleaning light would come on.

NOTE : Only ever use a cleaning tape on a DLT or LTO drive, if the drive's cleaning light comes on, or if the backup software in use, detects that the drive needs cleaning.

Additional Information
Tips to help prevent the problem:

Handle tapes carefully.
Tapes are fragile and sensitive to physical knocks, which may cause tensioning
issues on the tape spool, or damage the tape cartridge spindle. If tapes are
being moved off-site, ensure they are packed and handled within the
manufacturer's guidelines.

Be aware of environmental factors.
If tapes are moved in and out of an environmentally controlled (temperature and
humidity) area, a period of adjustment to the environment, of 24 hours before
insertion into the drives is recommended. This could prevent temperature changes
causing condensation on the tape, or tensioning variations. Tapes and
tape-drives should be in dust-free environments.

Keep track of tape use/tape life.
Tapes have a specified useful life, usually specified as "passes". For example
some tapes are said to be OK for "one million passes". NOTE: a pass is not a
backup. A single use of a tape for a backup, can cause at least 44 passes, and
usually many more. This will need to be calculated, based on each manufacturer's
specifications/documentation for their tape.

Update the drive firmware.

Update the st.conf patch.

Internal Comments
For the internal use of Sun Employee's.

The specific details for this, are manufacturer specific and should be sourced

from the individual tape or tape-drive manufacturer's documentation / white papers.

Sense, Key, Media, Tape, EBS, NBU, backup, bad tape, bad media, faulty tape, drive, cleaning
Previously Published As 82462

Change History
Date: 2005-08-25
User Name: 18392
Action: Approved
Comment: Did some re-wording and formatting, for clarity and readability.
Version: 3
Date: 2005-08-24
User Name: 18392
Action: Accept
Comment:
Version: 0

Internal Comments
Oracle review 11/5/09

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