Windows Server 2012R2 and Windows Server 2016 Fail to Load an Inbox Driver for an LTO8 Tape Drive

LTO8 tape drives are listed in the Device Manager in Windows Server 2012R2 and Windows Server 2016 under Other Devices instead of being listed under Tape Devices. Affected platforms:

• PowerVault 114X , TL1000, TL2000, TL4000, or ML6000
• PowerVault LTO8 internal server drives and external desktop models

The Dell FiCore image will not be updated with the latest Microsoft Update package until the Q1FY19 release. Windows Server 2012R2 and Windows Server 2016 preinstalled OS’s will not contain the latest tape.inf or lto.sys driver at LTO8 RTS in Q4FY18.

Run Windows update or download updates individually from Microsoft.

Running Windows Update from Microsoft will push the required driver and .inf files to the system. Otherwise, updated files to support LTO8 can be found at the following locations:

• Windows Server 2016 : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4041688
• Windows Server 2012 R2 : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4041685/windows-81-update-kb4041685