PowerVault TL2000/ TL4000 Tape Library - Mechanical Block Error Reported

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

Another Situation: Error Reported After Chassis or Library Replacement

Solution: General Troubleshooting Steps and Possible Solutions

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.

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 will be 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 will copy 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 how to
      "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:
   
   PowerVault TL2000 User's Guide
   
   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 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 Fibre.
   5. Power on the library, and wait for it initialize completely.
      Sometimes, performing this step will move 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 on Release
      Through OCP - Control, Magazine, chose Left or Right
      
      After ejecting the magazine, look for any tapes or debris in the magazine
      or in the library where the magazine was.
      
      After this, put the magazine back in, let the library inventory,
      and see what it does.
      NOTE: At this point, consider removing all media from the magazine(s).
                   This will exclude media being the cause.
   7. 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: At this point, consider removing all media from the magazine(s).
                   This will exclude media being the cause.
   8. Put the magazine(s) back into the library (preferably empty),
      and power on the library.
   9. If a mechanical error message comes up at this point, call Dell Technical Support.
   10. 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
        
       NOTE: Make sure that all Pop-Up blockers are turned-off for this process.
                    Please consult your web browser's help section to turn-off this
                    feature, if necessary.