6096, 6906, 6915, 6918 media errors

[edarvas]

I use Arcserve 2000 on a Windows 2000 SP4 server (backup hardware: DELL 130 T library, with two QUANTUM DLT7000 drives). The last full backup of files was cancelled by Arcserve after 15 hours of inunterrupted backup because of the following problem:

20040828 045547 TAPE E6096 Media Error [ABSL:2010 CMD:Ah TapeName:FRIDAY FILEDATA RID:37425 Barcode:000098]
20040828 045547 TAPE ***TapeAlert*** The following information is for Device[2]:
20040828 045547 TAPE W6906 The operation has stopped because an error has occurred while
reading or writing data which the drive cannot correct.
20040828 045548 TAPE E6915 The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is faulty:
1. Use a good tape to test the drive.
2. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline.
20040828 045548 TAPE E6918 The tape drive needs cleaning:
1. If the operation has stopped eject the tape and clean the drive.
2. If the operation has not stopped wait for it to finish and clean the drive.
Check users manual for cleaning instructions.
20040828 045548 4197 E3714 Unable to write to media. (MEDIA=FRIDAY FILEDATA, EC=UNRECOVERABLE DATA ERROR)

The morning before the backup, I had already the following problem:

20040827 103305 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103305 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:4 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 103312 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103312 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:5 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 103540 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103540 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:16 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 103607 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103607 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:10 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 103758 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103758 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:17 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 103833 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 103833 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:23 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]
20040827 104021 TAPE E6001 Error Erasing: MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR
20040827 104021 TAPE E8021 Failed to erase media in slot:27 (EC=MEDIA MISCOMPARE ERROR)[Device:1][DELL ]


I had the first mentioned problem (E6096 Media Error etc.) already one month ago. I rebooted the tape library, the DLTs and the server and relauched the backup job: and I had no problem then !

No hardware/scsi or backup related errors in the Windows event log.

I cleaned the DLT drives with a cleaning tape 2 weeks ago. Is cleaning needed again ?

The tape cartridge used when the error occured is one which has last been used in August 2003. I don't think it has worn out.

I suspect a problem with one of the DLT drives, but have any one of you an idea in which direction I should investigate ? How could I best troubleshoot this problem ? Thank you very much for your help.

Ezechiel Darvas
(Switzerland)

 

[davidmichel]

All we really know is that the drive was not able to complete a write/read with the tape. Beyond that it could be just some bad tapes, or a brand tape that does not work as well.

As for cleaning that is only needed with the drive reports that it needs cleaning.

It could be an environmental problem. Not just for the drive but also for the tapes. For example storing tapes in a high temp. will cause them to degrade quicker than normal.

All in all chances are, you are correct in that it is a problem with the drive.

 

[edarvas]

Finnally, I found out that there is a DLT drive test programm that can be downloaded from the Quantum web site (

http://www.quantum.com).

I ran the program tests and no errors came up. So problem does did not come from the DLT drives.

I replaced the tapes and the backup completed successfully. Certainly the tapes were damaged. Thank you very much for your help davidmichel.