Media detected as cleaning media when using robotic library

Hi Chris!

This may happen in case a cleaning job is configured to run as a scheduled job and if this alert is not responded to, then other jobs are prevented from starting.

Second thing would like to: know what happens when you run the inventory?

Do you get any errors in the System event log with the event ids:15,9,11


Do revert back on this.

Thanks and regards,

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1st, Make sure your firmware is up to date on the drive(s) / Library

2nd, http://support.veritas.com/docs/190522
SCSI ID's are very important

3rd, SCSI bus errors can cause a tape to show as cleaning...

Once you have the firmware up to date and the SCSI ID's low and sequential (I recommend 2 for the library and 3 for the drive), then reconfig Backup Exec and try it again.

If that fails, and you aren't getting SCSI errors (ID 5, 9, 11, 117) it is possible that the drive is completely clogged and can't read the headers on the tapes. At that point you might want to call Exabyte and see if they can help. They will have you test the drive outside the software and get a diagnostic log so they can see what is going on inside the drive.

Hope that helps!

Hey Swati,
Now all my tapes are listed as cleaning media and I got these messages in the application event viewer

Event Type:Warning
Event Source:Backup Exec
Event Category:None
Event ID:65313
Date:4/11/2006
Time:11:39:48 AM
User:N/A
Computer:SERVER1
Description:
Backup Exec Alert: Tape Alert Warning
(Server: "SERVER1") (Job: "Inventory Library 00006") Warning - There is a potential problem with a drive or the robotic arm loading cartridges, or an incompatible cartridge.
Robotic Library for Device: EXABYTE 2

For more information, click the following link:
http://eventlookup.veritas.com/eventlookup/EventLookup.jhtml

This Message was in the viewer Approximately 9 times and my loader holds 10 tapes and one is an actual Cleaning tape.

I also deleted the scheduled cleaning. Also regarding the SCSI ID's I have them listed as 1 & 2 on a seperate SCSI card with the library being first. The device was working fine until all the tapes were about to be overwritten and I also recently upgraded to Windows 2003 Server. I upgraded all drivers and firmwares immediately. Not sure if any is related???Message was edited by:
Chris Scott

IMHO it has nothing to do with a cleaning job (which is useless in most cases anyway).

I do not have a cleaning job configured and also get this strange phenomenom from time to time.
What I do:
Go (in the BE GUI): to Media -System Media - Cleaning Media and delete all the unwanted tapes out here.
Attention: The tapes themselves are not deleted here! (It is not possible to delete tapes in the Medi menu).
Then re-inventory your library.

Sometimes I do not even to have to make the re-inventory.

Keeping your firmware up to date is a good idea anyway.

greetings
Peter

Hello Chris,

The SCSI IDs, as recommended by Symantec, should be kept between 2-5, such that the changer has a smaller ID than the Drive.

You could also try installing the latest Drivers:
http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/281696.htm

Also just make sure that the SLOT itself is not configured as a cleaning slot in its Properties.

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Thanks.

What library and drive do you have? There was a known firmware problem on Exabyte's 1U library that was fixed some time ago correcting false "there is a potential problem" tape alerts.

Make sure both your library and drive firmware are both up to date.Message was edited by:
R H

I got the latest greatest Firmware for both the Drive and Lib. I have changed the SCSI id's to 2 for lib & 3 for drive. Am running new inventory and have fingers crossed :)

It didn't work.:( Any Suggestions... Still recognizing all media as cleaning media. I even removed the only actual cleaning media. Help

Try installing the OEM drivers for everything i.e the changer and tape drive and then inventorying the tape drive to check if the tapes are still reported as cleaning?



Regards,
Ashutosh

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