DLT 7000 Stuck tape->drive error->now drive won't initialize 1

[c1utch]

I recently had two drives break on me. First a DLT 4000 120T and then a DLT 7000 120T. Both of them were mearly taking an inventory of a newly installed tape. The tape got stuck and the drive reported an error. I couldn't get the tape out to save my life. What I finally did was power down the DLT drive. Then, using a flashlight, I took a look around the inside of the drive. When looking at the stuck tape, you will notice a gear that is to the right of the drive bay. This gear can be moved with your finger and will eject the tape. However, before you do this, you have to release the tape. Its held in the drive bay by a small locking mechinism. Again, just to the right of the drive bay there is a small black piece of plastic. It is RIGHT next to the drive bay, inbetween the bay and the aftforementioned vertical gear. I used a flathead screw driver to push this plastic piece to the right while using my hand to move the gear. Once this is done, the tape ejects.

Now, my main problem is that I cannot use this drive still, even though I got the tape out. If I power cycle the drive, it takes forever to initialize and then either fails, or shows up in Backup Exec as being offline. The bad thing is this happened to me on two different drives, about 2 months apart. I couldn't believe I had to buy ANOTHER drive. I called Dell and talked to a Powervault tech and he walked me through a couple things, but basically said that he was pretty sure that the drive was toast. I finally said heck with it and I started to tear apart the DLT 7000 to find out why the drive keeps failing. I found out if you take all the screws (except fan screws) off the back of the drive housing, you can pull on that handle that's on the back and slide the entire drive out. I also could hear something like a piece of tape, flapping around in side the drive when the unit was trying to initialized. After I slide the drive out, I pulled this clear housing off the top of the drive and could see what looked like a piece of tape. But I found out it was actually what is called a drive leader. It basically is used to pull the tape out of the cartridge. I found out my leader was broke and by looking at how it was attached on the inside, it looks like a piece of cake to replace. I found a site online that sells replacement leaders... 5 for $90.

http://dltrepair.com/

A lot cheaper than buying a whole new drive!! Then I found this site that explains how to change the leader itself:

http://www.sprague-europe.com/frame/tape.htm

I don't know if any of you had this same problem, but I thought I would share it with you. Hope this helps. If you have any questions, send me an email and I'll try to help you out.


cphillips@digital-hwy.com


Chris

 

[onefortheroad]

once you have removed the drive from whatever mounting it was in there is a far easier way of rewinding the tape. turn the drive over and immediately below the cartridge you will see a hole just big enough for a small cross head, look through the hole and you will see a small screw, this is the underside of the gear that engages the tape. just turn the screw as if un-doing it to rewind the tape. When you get to the end of the tape it will stop.
If your tape leader snapped (normally the tip comes away so try to make sure you buy DLT7000 leaders as these are reinforced) there may be some debris inside the cartridge.

 

[rrsub]

Found 10 for $125 here:

http://dlt-parts.com

 

[c1utch]

Thanks rrsub!!! That's a great link and I bookmarked it.

Chris

 

[Icefalkon]

Hi guys, I did the leader swap but still can't access the unit. Nothing shows up in Backup Express, but I can control the unit from it's front panel. I'm using a Dell Powervault 120T. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Steve from NYC

 

[sgwisby]

Not sure on the PV 120T, but on the PV 110T tape loaders that I use you have to control the media from the front panel on the tape device.