PowerVault: TL2000/TL4000 Tape Library Mechanical Block Error Reported

Table of Contents: 

1. Situation - Mechanical Block or Other Mechanical Type Error Reported
2. Another Situation - Error Reported After Chassis or Library Replacement
3. Solution - General Troubleshooting Steps and Possible Solution

Situation: Mechanical Block or Other Mechanical Type Error Reported

Typical Mechanical Block or Other Mechanical Type Errors

If there is a mechanical block or another type of a mechanical type of error - the TL2000 / TL4000 library will display it from the front display panel or LCD.

Also, it shows the error from the RMU (Remote Management Unit), or Web Interface.

These errors can be seen as some of the following:

Another Situation: Error Reported After Chassis or Library Replacement

General Symptoms if the TL2000 / TL4000 Chassis is Replaced

If the TL2000 / TL4000 Tape Library Chassis is replaced, there is a possibility that it fails to initialize. Any activity that exercises (uses) the library's picker results in a Mechanical error message.

The library may also report an unusual status for the tape drives such as "Unsupported" or "Writing" in the Remote Management Unit, or Web Interface.

Also, the Display or Operator Control Panel (OCP) remains on the pre-initialization status screen that shows the library firmware revision, number of tape drives, etc.
 

Solution: General Troubleshooting Steps and Possible Solutions

Possible Causes

Some of the possible causes of mechanical type issues can be of the following:

1. The tape library is not racked, and sitting on top of another device within the rack.
2. Another device or server is sitting on top of the library within the rack.
3. If it is a new or moved tape library, has the shipping lock has been removed?  If not, the shipping lock is located on top of the library.
4. If the tape library is setting on a shelf in a rack, the feet have not been installed.
5. If the rack rails are not installed properly, or too tightly - it can cause the bow of the library not to occur.  Or it can slightly twist the frame of the library.
6. There is an obstruction in the picker path - such as media, or other debris.
7. Or as mentioned before, the tape library (or chassis) was replaced.

Troubleshooting and Possible Solutions

General troubleshooting step and possible solutions are as follows:

Typical Steps if the TL2000 / TL4000 Chassis was Replaced:

1. If the TL2000 or TL4000 chassis was replaced, use the following process:
   1. The preferred method of recovering from this condition is to install the original LCC (Library Control Card) in the replacement chassis.
   2. After the replacement chassis is installed, remove the LCC that came with the replacement chassis and insert the LCC from the original library chassis.
   3. Once the original LCC is installed and the library is powered on, the VPD is copied from the LCB to the replacement chassis' picker.
   4. If the message "VPD Selection" (VPD - Vital Product Data) is displayed at the Operator Control Panel, carefully highlight the "VPD from Controller" option before selecting OK.
      This copies VPD from the controller to the replacement library enclosure.
   5. If this does not resolve the issue, see the User's Guide listed below on "Installing Your Drive(s) in the Replacement Library Enclosure"
   6. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact Dell Technical Support for assistance.

Typical Steps for TL2000 / TL4000 Mechanical Errors:

1. If the tape library is new or has been moved, make sure the shipping lock has been removed from the top of the library.
2. If the tape library is not racked, try installing the rails that came with the library. See the User's Guide on how-to install the rack mounts:
   1. PowerVault TL2000 User's Guide
   2. PowerVault TL4000 User's Guide
       
3. If the tape library is setting on a shelf within the rack, install the feet, as mentioned in the User's Guide.
4. If the firmware for the tape library and / or tape drive are out-of-date, please update the firmware, if possible.
   • Use the following links:
   • PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 Tape Library -How to Check the Firmware Revisions for the Tape Library and Tape Drives
   • PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 Tape Library -How to Upgrade the Firmware for the Tape Library and Tape Drives
      
5. If there is a possible obstruction within the library, one could try the following:
   1. If it is media-related, such as a tape in the drive or a magazine slot - try to move the tape to a slot or another slot using the RMU or OCP.
      • RMU (Preferred) -  Manage Library, Move Media, select Source, select Destination, click Move
      • OCP - Control, Move Cartridges, Source Type, Source, Dest, Dest Type
   2. Stop the backup software services on the server that the library is attached to, if it has not already been done so.
   3. Power down the TL2000 / TL4000 library.
   4. Disconnect the cable(s) between tape library and server.
      • This could be SCSI, SAS, or Fiber.
   5. Power on the library, and wait for it initialize completely. Sometimes, performing this step moves the tape that is causing the issue.
   6. If not, try to eject one magazine at a time.  The magazine can be ejected through the RMU / Web Interface, or through the front operator control panel (OCP).
      • Through RMU - Manage, Release Magazine, from pull-down menu select Right or Left, click Release
      • Through OCP - Control, Magazine, choose Left or Right
   7. After ejecting the magazine, look for any tapes or debris in the magazine or in the library where the magazine was.
   8. After this, put the magazine back in, let the library inventory, and see what it does.
      NOTE: Consider removing all media from the magazine(s). This excludes media being the cause.
   9. If one or both magazines do not eject, try to manually eject the magazine.
      • Use the following link for this process:
      • PowerVault TL2000 / TL4000 Manual Magazine Release
        NOTE: Consider removing all media from the magazine(s). This excludes media being the cause.
   10. Put the magazine(s) back into the library (preferably empty), and power on the library.
   11. If a mechanical error message comes up call Dell Technical Support.
   12. If possible, gather a "dumpall" or "Service Dump" log from the RMU / Web Interface.
       • This log can be obtain using the following menu:
         Service Library > View Logs > Save Service Dump
          
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