How to Remove a Stuck / Jammed Cartridge from a Seagate/Certance/Quantum LTO Tape Drive:ATR:1356021.1:2

Asset ID:	1-71-1356021.1
Update Date:	2016-01-20
Keywords:

Solution Type Technical Instruction Sure

Solution 1356021.1 : How to Remove a Stuck / Jammed Cartridge from a Seagate/Certance/Quantum LTO Tape Drive:ATR:1356021.1:2

Applies to:

Certance-Quantum LTO3 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
LTO Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
Certance-Quantum LTO2 Tape Drive - Version Not Applicable and later
Sun StorageTek L180 Tape Library - Version Not Applicable and later
Sun StorageTek L700e Tape Library - Version Not Applicable and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Goal

How to Remove Stuck / Jammed Cartridge from Seagate/Certance/Quantum LTO Tape Drive:ATR:1356021.1:2 (Doc ID 1356021.1)

Fix

DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS
- WHAT SKILLS DOES THE ENGINEER NEED: Knowledge with OEM Tape Drives

Time Estimate: 60 minutes

Task Complexity: 2

FIELD ENGINEER INSTRUCTIONS:
- PROBLEM OVERVIEW: Cartridge is stuck/jammed in a Seagate/Certance/Quantum LTO tape drive and need to remove it.

- WHAT STATE SHOULD THE SYSTEM BE IN TO BE READY TO PERFORM THE
RESOLUTION ACTIVITY?
Drive needs to be offline to the server and software application

WHAT ACTION DOES THE ENGINEER NEED TO TAKE:
Prior to physically removing jammed /stuck cartridge, make sure the following actions have been taken to avoid any unnecessary steps:
· In environments that utilize ACSLS or HSC, a forced dismount command has been issued to the drive in question.
· The drive in question has been reset/power cycled AFTER being placed offline by the host. Make sure the tape did a rewind and unload completely. The time to complete this unload may vary depending on how much tape was on the machine reel.
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Manually Removing a Cartridge
Before you manually remove a cartridge from the drive:
1. Issue all possible commands and run diagnostics.
2. Turn off all power to the drive.
3. Unplug all connectors to the drive.
4. Remove the drive from its operating environment.
5. Place the drive on a workbench with proper ESD grounding.
6. Remove the top cover of the drive by removing eight screws. (You will need a 1.5mm hex driver.)
7. Inspect the drive to determine which procedure you should follow:
   - If the cartridge is loaded and the leader pin is still in the cartridge, go to "Cartridge is Loaded and Seated".
   - If the cartridge is loaded and seated, and the tape is threaded or partially threaded on the take-up hub, go
     to "Cartridge is loaded and Seated with Tape Threaded".

Cartridge is Loaded and Seated
To remove the cartridge, you will need a small, flat-blade screwdriver.
1. Verify that the leader pin is still inside the cartridge. If the leader pin has been pulled out of the cartridge and
is still in the tape path, follow the steps in "Cartridge is loaded and Seated with Tape Threaded".
2. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the worm gear counter clockwise. This will gradually raise the
cartridge elevator and cause the cartridge to slide partially out of the drive.
3. Continue turning the worm gear until the cartridge is sticking out of the unit approximately 17mm. Then
carefully pull the cartridge out by hand.
4. After you have removed the cartridge, put the top cover back on the drive; replace and tighten the
screws.
5. Reinstall the drive and run load/unload tests.
6. If drive continue to fail with stuck cartridge, return the drive via logistics.

Cartridge is Loaded and Seated with Tape Threaded
1. Be sure the head assembly is in the lowered position by turning the lead screw clockwise with a flat blade
   screwdriver. This is necessary to allow the load arm to clear the head assembly when it is moved back
   toward the cartridge.
2. Replace the drive cover to protect the gear and spooling assemblies. You do not need to replace all the
screws.
3. Turn the drive upside down.
4. Insert a 1.5mm hex wrench through the hole in the bottom plate. Turn the hex wrench clockwise slowly
to rewind the tape into the cartridge. This may take some time.
5. When all of the tape has been spooled off of the take-up reel, turn the drive right side up.
6. Rotate the hub to align the slot in the hub with the slot on the drive chassis.
7. Set the drive on its left side. Rotate the load arm until the tape grabber clears the hub.
8. Take up the slack tape again using the 1.5mm hex wrench.
9. Carefully push the grabber in toward the cartridge.
10. When the leader pin and the tape grabber reach the cartridge, gently push the grabber toward the front
   of the cartridge. Use the grabber to push the leader pin gently into the cartridge until it seats in place
   (you should hear a click).
11. Using a flat-blade screwdriver, picot the white lower track toward the drive bezel to disengage the
leader pin.
12. After the grabber has released the leader pin, pull the loader arm out of the way.
13. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the worm gear counter clockwise. This will gradually raise the
cartridge elevator and cause the cartridge to slide partially out of the drive.
14. Continue turning the worm gear until the cartridge is sticking out of the unit. Then carefully pull the
cartridge out by hand.
15. After you have removed the cartridge, put the top cover back on the drive; then replace and tighten the
screws.
16. Reinstall the drive and run load/unload tests.
17. If drive continue to fail with stuck cartridge, return the drive via logistics.

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Once the media cartridge has been removed from the tape drive (by either the above actions or the following physical procedure), please run load/unload tests to verify the drive is still operational.
Inspect the removed cartridge for possible physical damage to the case, file reel sprocket, leader pin/block, and/or the media itself according to the type of media being worked with.

Parts Note:

Reference Information:
Refer to the Certance Online User's Guide for complete instructions with Pictures, Notes, and Cautions on removing a stuck cartridge from the tape drive.
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E21417_01/en/CRCM2177/CRCM2177.pdf

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