HPlogo Getting Started HP 3000 Series 9X8LX Computer Systems > Chapter 5 Using and Maintaining the Tape Drive

Interpreting Status Signal Conditions

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When operating your tape drive, be aware of the indicator lights displaying conditions to notify you of the status.

If you have a read-only tape

If the cassette is a read-only tape, the cassette light shows yellow during normal operations.

If you see a caution signal

The caution signal is indicated by the cassette light alternating between green (for 4.5 seconds) and off (for 0.5 seconds). For normal operation, it typically is a steady green. If this caution condition occurs, it means that the tape drive is having to correct an excessive number of errors when using the cassette. This can mean that the tape heads need cleaning or that the tape is nearing the end of its useful life.

When you see a caution signal, first clean the tape heads using the tape cleaning procedures described later in this section. If the signal occurs again, you should copy the data from the tape onto a new tape using this procedure sequence:

  1. Copy the data from the tape onto disk.

  2. Copy the data from the disk onto a new tape.

  3. Discard the old tape.

If the humidity is high

If the humidity rises too high, both front panel indicators show a steady yellow. The tape drive will not perform any operations requiring movements of the tape until the humidity has dropped to within specification again. Refer to "Handling and Storing Cassettes" in this chapter for information on how to handle your cassette tapes in these conditions.

If you have a fault warning

If a fault is diagnosed during the self-test performed when the system is switched on, the result is indicated by the cassette light pulsing in groups of one, two, or three pulses, while the drive light shows a steady yellow. If this happens, make a note of the pattern and, call your Hewlett-Packard support representative.

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