Below is a list of Industry Standard Tape Alert Error Flags. The "tape alert" flags are designed for single tape drives and robotic libraries. Please refer to the hardware documentation for a thorough explanation of these error flags:
| Flag Number | Flag | Type | Required Host Message | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read Warning | W | The tape drive is having problems reading data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the performance of the tape. | The drive is having severe trouble reading |
| 2 | Write Warning | W | The tape drive is having problems writing data. No data has been lost, but there has been a reduction in the capacity of the tape. | The drive is having severe trouble writing |
| 3 | Hard Error | W | The operation has stopped because an error has occurred while reading or writing data which the drive cannot correct. | The drive had a hard read or write error |
| 4 | Media | C | Your data is at risk: | Media cannot be written/read, or media performance is severely degraded |
| 1. Copy any data you require from this tape. | ||||
| 2. Do not use this tape again. | ||||
| 3. Restart the operation with a different tape. | ||||
| 5 | Read Failure | C | The tape is damaged or the drive is faulty. Call the tape drive supplier helpline. | The drive can no longer read data from the tape |
| 6 | Write Failure | C | The tape is from a faulty batch or the tape drive is faulty: | The drive can no longer write data to the tape |
| 1. Use a good tape to test the drive. | ||||
| 2. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 7 | Media Life | W | The tape cartridge has reached the end of its calculated useful life: | The media has exceeded its specified life |
| 1. Copy any data you need to another tape | ||||
| 2. Discard the old tape. | ||||
| 8 | Not Data Grade | W | The tape cartridge is not data-grade. Any data you back up to the tape is at risk. | The drive has not been able to read the MRS stripes |
| Replace the cartridge with a data-grade tape. | ||||
| 9 | Write Protect | C | You are trying to write to a write-protected cartridge. | Write command is attempted to a write protected tape |
| Remove the write-protection or use another tape | ||||
| 10 | No Removal | I | You cannot eject the cartridge because the tape drive is in use. | Manual or s/w unload attempted when prevent media removal on |
| Wait until the operation is complete before ejecting the cartridge | ||||
| 11 | Cleaning Media | I | The tape in the drive is a cleaning cartridge. | Cleaning tape loaded in drive |
| 12 | Unsupported Format | I | You have tried to load a cartridge of a type which is not supported by this drive. | Attempted loaded of unsupported tape format, e.g. DDS2 in DDS1 drive |
| 13 | Recoverable Snapped Tape | C | The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has snapped: | Tape snapped/cut in the drive where media can be ejected |
| 1. Discard the old tape. | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation with a different tape. | ||||
| 14 | Unrecoverable Snapped Tape | C | The operation has failed because the tape in the drive has snapped: | Tape snapped/cut in the drive where media cannot be ejected |
| 1. Do not attempt to extract the tape cartridge. | ||||
| 2. Call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 15 | Memory Chip in Cartridge Failure | W | The memory in the tape cartridge has failed, which reduces performance. | Memory chip failed in cartridge |
| Do not use the cartridge for further backup operations. | ||||
| 16 | Forced Eject | C | The operation has failed because the tape cartridge was manually ejected while the tape drive was actively writing or reading. | Manual or forced eject while drive actively writing or reading |
| 17 | Read Only Format | W | You have loaded a cartridge of a type that is read-only in this drive. | Media loaded that is read-only format |
| The cartridge will appear as write-protected. | ||||
| 18 | Tape Directory Corrupted on load | W | The directory on the tape cartridge has been corrupted. | Tape drive powered down with tape loaded, or permanent error prevented the tape directory being updated |
| File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data on the cartridge | ||||
| 19 | Nearing Media Life | I | The tape cartridge is nearing the end of its calculated life. | Media may have exceeded its specified number of passes |
| It is recommended that you: | ||||
| 1. Use another tape cartridge for your next backup. | ||||
| 2. Store this tape cartridge in a safe place in case you need to restore data from it | ||||
| 20 | Clean Now | C | The tape drive needs cleaning: | The drive thinks it has a head clog, or 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 then clean the drive. | ||||
| Check the tape drive users manual for device specific cleaning instructions. | ||||
| 21 | Clean Periodic | W | The tape drive is due for routine cleaning: | The drive is ready for a periodic clean |
| 1. Wait for the current operation to finish. | ||||
| 2. Then use a cleaning cartridge. | ||||
| Check the tape drive users manual for device specific cleaning instructions. | ||||
| 22 | Expired Cleaning Media | C | The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive has worn out | The cleaning tape has expired |
| 1. Discard the worn out cleaning cartridge. | ||||
| 2. Wait for the current operation to finish. | ||||
| 3. Then use a new cleaning cartridge. | ||||
| 23 | Invalid Cleaning Media | C | The last cleaning cartridge used in the tape drive was an invalid type: | Invalid cleaning tape type used |
| 1. Do not use this cleaning cartridge in this drive. | ||||
| 2. Wait for the current operation to finish | ||||
| 3. Then use a valid cleaning cartridge. | ||||
| 24 | Retention Requested | W | The tape drive has requested a retention operation | The drive is having severe trouble reading or writing, which will be resolved by a retention cycle |
| 25 | Dual-Port Interface Error | W | A redundant interface port on the tape drive has failed | Failure of one interface port in a dual-port configuration, e.g. Fibrechannel |
| 26 | Cooling Fan Failure | W | A tape drive cooling fan has failed | Fan failure inside tape drive mechanism or tape drive enclosure |
| 27 | Power Supply | W | A redundant power supply has failed inside the tape drive enclosure. Check the enclosure users manual for instructions on replacing the failed power supply | Redundant PSU failure inside the tape drive enclosure or rack subsystem |
| 28 | Power Consumption | W | The tape drive power consumption is outside the specified range | Power consumption of the tape drive is outside specified range |
| 29 | Drive Maintenance | W | Preventive maintenance of the tape drive is required. | The drive requires preventative maintenance (not cleaning). |
| Check the tape drive users manual for device specific preventive maintenance tasks or call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 30 | Hardware A | C | The tape drive has a hardware fault: | The drive has a hardware fault that requires reset to recover. |
| 1. Eject the tape or magazine. | ||||
| 2. Reset the drive. | ||||
| 3. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 31 | Hardware B | C | The tape drive has a hardware fault: | The drive has a hardware fault which is not read/write related or requires a power cycle to recover. |
| 1. Turn the tape drive off and then on again. | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| Check the tape drive users manual for device specific instructions on turning the device power on and off. | ||||
| 32 | Interface | W | The tape drive has a problem with the host interface: | The drive has identified an interfacing fault |
| 1. Check the cables and cable connections. | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 33 | Eject Media | C | The operation has failed: | Error recovery action |
| 1. Eject the tape or magazine. | ||||
| 2. Insert the tape or magazine again. | ||||
| 3. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 34 | Download Fail | W | The firmware download has failed because you have tried to use the incorrect firmware for this tape drive. | Firmware download failed |
| Obtain the correct firmware and try again. | ||||
| 35 | Drive Humidity | W | Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified humidity range | Drive humidity limits exceeded |
| 36 | Drive Temperature | W | Environmental conditions inside the tape drive are outside the specified temperature range. | Drive temperature limits exceeded |
| 37 | Drive Voltage | W | The voltage supply to the tape drive is outside the specified range. | Drive voltage limits exceeded |
| 38 | Predictive Failure | C | A hardware failure of the tape drive is predicted. Call the tape drive supplier helpline. | Predictive failure of drive hardware |
| 39 | Diagnostics Required | W | The tape drive may have a fault. Check for availability of diagnostic information and run extended diagnostics if applicable. | The drive may have had a failure which may be identified by stored diagnostic information or by running extended diagnostics (eg Send Diagnostic) |
| Check the tape drive users manual for instructions on running extended diagnostic tests and retrieving diagnostic data | ||||
| 40 | Loader Hardware A | C | The changer mechanism is having difficulty communicating with the tape drive: | Loader mech. is having trouble communicating with the tape drive |
| 1. Turn the autoloader off then on. | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 3. If problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 41 | Loader Stray Tape | C | A tape has been left in the autoloader by a previous hardware fault: | Stray tape left in loader after pervious error recovery |
| 1. Insert an empty magazine to clear the fault. | ||||
| 2. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again. | ||||
| 3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 42 | Loader Hardware B | W | There is a problem with the autoloader mechanism. | Loader mech. has a hardware fault |
| 43 | Loader Door | C | The operation has failed because the autoloader door is open: | Tape changer door open |
| 1. Clear any obstructions from the autoloader door. | ||||
| 2. Eject the magazine and then insert it again. | ||||
| 3. If the fault does not clear, turn the autoloader off and then on again | ||||
| 4. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 44 | Loader Hardware C | C | The autoloader has a hardware fault: | The loader mechanism has a hardware fault that is not mechanically related |
| 1. Turn the autoloader off and then on again. | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 3. If the problem persists, call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| Check the autoloader users manual for device specific instructions on turning the device power on and off. | ||||
| 45 | Loader Magazine | C | The autoloader cannot operate without the magazine. | Loader magazine not present |
| 1. Insert the magazine into the autoloader | ||||
| 2. Restart the operation. | ||||
| 46 | Loader Predictive Failure | W | A hardware failure of the changer mechanism is predicted. | Predictive failure of loader mechanism hardware |
| Call the tape drive supplier helpline. | ||||
| 50 | Lost Statistics | W | Media statistics have been lost at some time in the past | Drive or library powered down with tape loaded |
| 51 | Tape directory invalid at unload | W | The tape directory on the tape cartridge just unloaded has been corrupted. | Error prevented the tape directory being updated on unload. |
| File search performance will be degraded. The tape directory can be rebuilt by reading all the data. | ||||
| 52 | Tape system area write failure | C | The tape just unloaded could not write its system area successfully: | Write errors while writing the system log on unload |
| 1. Copy data to another tape cartridge | ||||
| 2. Discard the old cartridge | ||||
| 53 | Tape system area read failure | C | The tape system area could not be read successfully at load time: | Read errors while reading the system area on load |
| 1. Copy data to another tape cartridge | ||||
| 2. Discard the old cartridge | ||||
| 54 | No start of data | C | The start of data could not be found on the tape: | Tape damaged, bulk erased, or incorrect format |
| 1. Check you are using the correct format tape | ||||
| 2. Discard the tape or return the tape to your supplier |
TapeAlert is a standard for devices to report diagnostic messages to the controlling application. A "No TapeAlert Messages" response is a good thing. Here's the list of codes and definitions as it exists today.
(from the ANSI T10 Specifications):
tapealert_codes = {
0x01: 'Having problems reading (slowing down)',
0x02: 'Having problems writing (losing capacity)',
0x03: 'Uncorrectable read/write error',
0x04: 'Media Performance Degraded, Data Is At Risk',
0x05: 'Read Failure',
0x06: 'Write Failure',
0x07: 'Media has reached the end of its useful life',
0x08: 'Cartridge not data grade',
0x09: 'Cartridge write protected',
0x0A: 'Initiator is preventing media removal',
0x0B: 'Cleaning media found instead of data media',
0x0C: 'Cartridge contains data in an unsupported format',
0x0D: 'Recoverable mechanical cartridge failure (broken tape?)',
0x0E: 'Unrecoverable mechanical cartridge failure (broken tape?)',
0x0F: 'Failure of cartridge memory chip',
0x10: 'Forced eject of media',
0x11: 'Read only media loaded',
0x12: 'Tape directory corrupted on load',
0x13: 'Media nearing end of life',
0x14: 'Tape drive neads cleaning NOW',
0x15: 'Tape drive needs to be cleaned soon',
0x16: 'Cleaning cartridge used up',
0x17: 'Invalid cleaning cartidge used',
0x18: 'Retension requested',
0x19: 'Dual port interface failed',
0x1A: 'Cooling fan in drive has failed',
0x1B: 'Power supply failure in drive',
0x1C: 'Power consumption outside specified range',
0x1D: 'Preventative maintenance needed on drive',
0x1E: 'Hardware A: Tape drive has a problem not read/write related',
0x1F: 'Hardware B: Tape drive has a problem not read/write related',
0x20: 'Problem with SCSI interface between tape drive and initiator',
0x21: 'The current operation has failed. Eject and reload media',
0x22: 'Attempt to download new firmware failed',
0x23: 'Drive humidity outside operational range',
0x24: 'Drive temperature outside operational range',
0x25: 'Drive voltage outside operational range',
0x26: 'Failure of drive predicted soon',
0x27: 'Diagnostics required',
# 0x28 to 0x2E are obsolete, but some vendors still have them listed.
0x28: 'Loader Hardware A: Changer having problems communicating with tape drive',
0x29: 'Loader Stray Tape: Stray tape left in drive from prior error',
0x2A: 'Loader Hardware B: Autoloader mechanism has a fault',
0x2B: 'Loader Door: Loader door is open, please close it',
# 0x2F to 0x31 are reserved
0x32: 'Media statistics lost',
0x33: 'Tape directory invalid at unload (reread all to rebuild)',
0x34: 'Tape system area write failure',
0x35: 'Tape system area read failure',
0x36: 'Start of data not found',
0x37: 'Media could not be loaded/threaded',
0x38: 'Unrecoverable unload failed',
0x39: 'Automation interface failure',
0x3A: 'Firmware failure',
# 0x3B to 0x40 are reserved
}
