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Problem with tape backup

Hi!

First apologize my bad English :S .

I have a problem with the backup tapes.
I explained, I use the software amanda and one day on the log went:

Code:

Quote:

*** THE DUMPS DID NOT FINISH PROPERLY!

The next tape Amanda expects to use is: arinbackup-3.

FAILURE DUMP SUMMARY:

arinvm0301.arin-innovation.com /jdedwards/jde_home RESULTS MISSING

arinvm0302 "c:/jde_home" RESULTS MISSING

amreport: ERROR could not open log /var/lib/amanda/log.20090814233005.0: No such file or directory

Given that there was a problem with the tapes, trying to delete it, but leaves an error of I/O and stay as they were. So reading a bit we decided to erase the tapes internet, and there is no way:

Code:

Quote:

[root@arinsrv03 ~]# mt -f /dev/tape retension

[root@arinsrv03 ~]# mt -f /dev/tape erase

/dev/tape: Input/output error

[root@arinsrv03 ~]# dmesg

st0: Current: sense key: Medium Error

Additional sense: Cartridge fault

Info fld=0x1

[root@arinsrv03 ~]# mt -f /dev/tape status

SCSI 2 tape drive:

File number=0, block number=0, partition=0.

Tape block size 512 bytes. Density code 0x44 (no translation).

Soft error count since last status=0

General status bits on (41010000):

BOT ONLINE IM_REP_EN

Reading a little more for internet and decided to clean the head after leaving the entire night for the next morning the lights were flashing of "error" and "clean heads".

If anyone could help we would appreciate it a lot because he did not know what to do and would be the next step and change the tapes and / or the machine.

The computer has all the cables connected properly and is a Dell Power Edge 2900 and runs under Oracle VM Server 2.1.1

Thanks for reading all!

Have you put a cleaning tape in -- or however else the heads should be cleaned on this particular tape drive?

Hi!

Yes, I put a cleaning tape in the device but has not cleared and to make matters worse now, the device ejected the tape for backup simply so I can not do any tests

If you've cleaned the drive and it is still saying "clean me" then hardware or firmware failure is likely.

Can you look inside the drive for stray debris?

Have you researched for what "General status bits on (41010000)" means?

Status bit 4101000000 is a normal output that means that the tape is ok.
The drive is clean and i don't know how to watch out if it is a hardware or firmware problem.

I looking on the internet I haven't found any solution (it looks like i'm the only person in the world with this issue)
and i'm desperate!!

Mmm ... Is there any diagnostic software for your model of tape drive? HP used to provide good diagnostic software for their drives ... Linux itself may have some useful tools. What's the make and model of the drive?

The model is Dell and I had already thought of this solution but this solution had a problem because this computer is a server and can not be turned off, because have a lot of databases and now people work with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garaemon (Post 3649170)

You thinking of the DELL diagnostics which you can only access at boot time?

I was thinking of diagnostic software that can be installed and run while te server is up.

Alternatively, is the drive hot pluggable and do you have a similar computer that can be rebooted into DELL diagnostics?

A DELL branded tape drive is probably made by someone else. If you can find out the OEM then you may be able to identify their online diagnostic software.

Thank you very much, I had to look to see if you solve it, anyway, I looked at the DELL website and symptoms appear that might put the reader of this defective tapes and now my boss is on vacation, so until Monday, can not perform all necessary tests and the fellow that I am not even let me do some work.

Anyway, I appreciate that you replied so fast.

Thanks!!!!