Conference ssag::ask_ssag

6442.0. "SERIOUS TZ87 FIRMWARE PROBLEM" by HGOMC1::PROJECT () Tue Mar 04 1997 05:40

HI,
    
    My customer got a TZ87-VA in trouble and needs to solve it URGENTLY.
    
    The configuration is :
    
    CPU: VAX7860
    O/S: OPENVMS V6.1
    Controller : HSD30 with HSOS V2.7
    Storagework Shelf : BA350
    Tape Drive currently in use: TZ87-VA, F/W: V60 (9b3c)
    
    Problem is :
    
    1) customer reported that lots of "data lost" errors were logged during 
       backup after the tape drive was replaced  
    
    2) from an IPMT CASE (entry name : CFS_44958), the workaround to "data
       lost" error is to DOWNGRADE the firmware of the TZ87-VA to V27
       (971b). I downgrade the F/W revision of my customer's TZ87-VA to 
       V27 accordingly. However, when I load tape cartridge into the 
       drive; the "Use Cleaning Tape" LED flash. The "Use Cleaning Tape"
       LED still flash even after I clean the tape's R/W head with a cleaning 
       tape.
    
    3) I then UPGRADE the tape drive's firmware back to V60 and the problem
       of "Use Cleaning Tape" LED flashing gone!!
    
    
    The above problems (1) & (2) needed to be solved URGENTLY, so please lend me
    a helping hand. All inputs are welcome.
    
    p.s. The F/W V27 was downloaded from location:
         http://whatsa.shr.dec.com/~specs/tape/TZ87/FIRMWARE/ DOWN REVISION/
    
         Unfortunately, the F/W in the above location vanished. Where can I
         download the firmware V27  from ???? 
         ( I found a location:
              subsys::lca:[specs.tape.tz87.firmware._down_version]
           but all the files are protected)
    
    Rgds/
    
    
    Kenneth (kennethho@hgovc)
        
       

Fixing URGENT problems in Notes files is NOT the correct way to do things.
Escalate through normal MCS channels and you WILL get the answer you need.

roger.

First: please follow the advice of .1

Second: is the TZ87 brick next to the power supply?
Early TZ87-VA (don't ask me for the revs) could pick
up noise from the power supply that made them whine
for the cleaning tape.

If I remember well, a shielding plate of some sort has
been introduced into the TZ87-VA brick.

Might be worth checking.
				Wilko

>If I remember well, a shielding plate of some sort has
>been introduced into the TZ87-VA brick.

    I think it was the TZ86-VA/TZ87-VA Rev C03...

You are incorrect in what you assume was the resolution for IPMT case CFS.44958.
Downgrading to V27 has never been an engineering solution.

As Roger noted in .1, if this is truly an urgent customer esclate this.
 
Lisa