Ed,

Just catching up on my mail and noticed that you didn't get many
replies to this...

>    I've got a Storage Tek 9714 library with six DLT 7000 drives in
> it.  I'm seeing a lot of cases where the tape leader's not in the
> right position to load a new DLT volume.  Instead, the leader's been
> wound onto the takeup reel.  Have any of you had similar experiences
> with the DLT 7000s, and if so, how did you resolve them?

Yep, dropped leaders are fairly common here (9710 w/ DLT7000's).

This is basically a design fault with DLT drives.  The leader is a
one-shot mechanism; if it doesn't engage with the loop on the tape the
first time the drive needs to be repaired.  Makes you wonder where they
get the stated MTBF rating of 200,000 hours (which is >22 years) from.
Maybe that is the reliability with the drive sitting on the shelf.

How you resolve them depends on what you mean by "resolve".

To resolve your immediate problem:

The Quantum mandated fix is probably to return the drive to the factory.

The Storage Tek solution would be a service call.

The DIY fix would be to open up the drive and thread the leader back
through the tape path and engage it back onto the hook that holds it
into place.  (The clear plastic cover that goes over the head and
take-up spool just pops off with the aid of a small flat blade applied
to the clips.)

To resolve your longer term problem:

Sometimes dropped leaders are caused by a faulty leader (the "T" at the
end is damaged).  This seems to be a normal replacement item.

Sometimes a dropped leader is caused by a faulty tape (the loop on the
tape that the leader engages with is damaged).  Open the little flap on
the cartridge and eye-ball it.  The previous tape in that drive could
be the culprit, so be sure to check it too.  Rough handling of the
cartridge (eg, dropping it onto the floor) can dislodge this loop from
its mooring.  You can open up the cartridge and fix it if you are
desparate, but are probably better off binning it.

The real fix is to ditch DLT in favour of something that has a more
tolerant design (I've got no recommendations here).

George.
--
George Scott           George.Scott AT its.monash DOT edu
Systems Programmer, IT Services, Monash University

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