HP LTO - How to Manually Remove a Stuck Tape Cartridge From a HH (Half Height) LTO Tape Drive

Asset ID:	1-71-1533392.1
Update Date:	2017-02-13
Keywords:

Solution Type Technical Instruction Sure

Solution 1533392.1 : HP LTO - How to Manually Remove a Stuck Tape Cartridge From a HH (Half Height) LTO Tape Drive

Applies to:

HP LTO3 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
HP LTO4 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
HP LTO5 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
HP LTO6 Tape Drive - Version All Versions and later
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Note: (Dec 2016)
A reference is made to the "Set Pin Mechanism" in the attached video. This mechanism is not easily seen by the user when the manual unload process is used.
The mechanism is actually the arm that grabs the leader pin from the tape cartridge and pulls the leader of the tape on to the machine reel of the tape. When the unload occurs, the file reel will pull the tape and then the leader back to the cartridge. The "Set Pin Mechanism" will come back to the load position at that time.

Goal

HP LTO - How to Manually Remove Tape Cartridge From HH (Half Height) LTO Tape Drive.

Solution

DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS
   WHAT SKILLS DOES THE FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR NEED?: Familiar with HP LTO drives and supported libraries.
   TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
   TASK COMPLEXITY: 1

FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR INSTRUCTIONS:
   PROBLEM OVERVIEW: HP LTO drives has been determined there is a physically stuck cartridge in the drive.
   WHAT STATE SHOULD THE SYSTEM BE IN TO BE READY TO PERFORM THE RESOLUTION ACTIVITY?: Drive needs to be offline to the application, OS and Library. The drive should be powered off.
   WHAT ACTION DOES THE FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR NEED TO TAKE?:

Refer to the following HP Link for complete instructions on tape cartridge removal. It has Pictures, Diagrams, Warnings and Cautions.

http://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c00796950&lang=en&cc=us

LTO Manual recovery of stuck tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZD6qC2AQSk

HP SUPPORT COMMUNICATION - CUSTOMER NOTICE

Document ID: c00796950

Version: 5

Notice (Revised): Tape Unload Instructions for Tapes Stuck in HP StorageWorks LTO Ultrium 215/232/448/920/1760/3000 Tape Drives

NOTICE: The information in this document, including products and software versions, is current as of the Release Date. This document is subject to change without notice.

Release Date: 2007-11-27

Last Updated: 2011-04-19

DESCRIPTION

NOTE: Most cases where the tape appears to be stuck in the drive are caused by software, interface issues, or the media not the drive. Follow the steps outlined below, in order to ensure that the tape is unloaded by the easiest, least invasive method possible. Failure to follow proper troubleshooting steps can lead to unnecessary hardware replacement and prolonged downtime. It is important to follow all troubleshooting steps to ensure the true root of the problem is identified and resolved.

=========================================================================================

On a library or autoloader, attempt an unload drive operation or move tape from drive to slot from the front panel interface.

This step attempts to overcome unload issues due the drive being in an abnormal state or from PMR being incorrectly left on from it being set by a rogue application.

If available, initiate force eject or emergency unload operation from the product interface.
- This step has the drive try everything possible to unload the tape including a few more invasive algorithms.
  - On a standalone drive: press and hold the eject button until the ready LED starts flashing (10-15 seconds).
  - On a 1/8 G2 Autoloader, a MSL2024, a MSL4048, or a MSL8096: select Support and then Force Drive to Eject Tape.
    
    NOTE: Only some autoloaders and libraries have a force eject option, consult your documentation for more information. Therefore, this step might not be possible in some Autoloaders and libraries where the eject button is not accessible.
    
    CAUTION: On drives in autoloaders or libraries, this might not be possible or it might require opening up the product to access the eject button. Please consult an authorized support technician before doing this, as it could void your warranty.
If the tape is still not unloaded, then continue on to the manual tape extraction procedure in the Details section, below.

IMPORTANT: Any tape unloaded/ejected requiring step 4 and beyond should be inspected for damage and misplaced labels since the tape in question could have caused the load/unload failure. Discard any tape found to have issues.

Note: Under NO circumstances should a LTO drive be returned with a stuck cartridge in the drive.

DETAILS

Manual tape removal

To successfully remove an HP Ultrium tape cartridge, the following steps must be performed to avoid damage to the tape and to return the drive to a working state. These steps should be used only after all other eject operations have failed.

The manual unload process has 3 steps:

Set mechanism for pin parking
Rewind
Eject

IMPORTANT:

Removal of shrouds or covers will usually invalidate the warranty of the tape drive. Therefore, the tape should be removed with full knowledge of HP support personnel, usually after contacting a call center and before an exchange to the unit is made.
Fully rewind the tape before trying to eject the cartridge. The Ultrium media uses a single reel cartridge, and it cannot be ejected when partway down the tape.

NOTE: The step marked in red is important and should be performed carefully to avoid damaging the media or drive.

OBTAIN CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE
WHAT ACTION DOES THE FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR NEED TO TAKE TO RETURN THE SYSTEM TO AN OPERATIONAL STATE?:

Drive must be re-installed into library, powered on, and brought online to library, OS and application.

PARTS NOTE:

REFERENCE INFORMATION:

How to Remove and Replace a Tape Drive in SL500 (Doc ID 1353561.1)
How to Remove and Replace a Tape Drive in SL8500 (Doc ID 1353584.1)
How to Remove and Replace a Tape Drive in SL3000 library (Doc ID 1364700.1)
How to Remove and Replace a Tape Drive in SL150 Modular Library (Doc ID 1473764.1)
How to Remove and Replace a Tape Drive in SL24 or SL48 library (Doc ID 1336073.1)

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