CRC error / Backup Failure

[nell1]

Hi All,

We have a HP Surestore 24e tape machine / using Veritas Backup exec 7.3 single server edition. For about a week we have been having issues with the machine/software. The backup reports have been returning Job Status as 'Failed'. Having looked at the log reports it appears that all is successfull apart from the verify, which produces a 'Data Error (cyclic redundancy check).

When this first appeared the 'Tape Clean' light started flashing, so I inserted the cleaner cartridge. However the cartridge seemed to load, turn for about 1 min and then eject. I tried a brand new cartridge after this and the backup was 100% successful. Then the same tape was used for the same backup the next night and we were back to the job failed status. The 'Tape Clean' light is back on. Have tried the cleaning cartridge but it just ejects after about 1m.

I have a feeling that it is the tape machine heads and not software. If anyone has experienced similar or is aware of the problem, would be gratefull for some assistance.

Many thanks in advance

Nell1

 

[Smorgan11]

This issue is usually caused by bad tapes. I would recommend changing the backup tapes for new ones. Remeber you are supposed to change the backup tapes every 6-9 months. Also keep them away from mobiles

 

[nell1]

Thanks for the reply Smorgan11,

I agree with you, however on this instance the brand new tape we used backed up successfully once and then failed a second and all subsequent times so far. That's what made me think it was the actual drive.

Nell1

 

[Smorgan11]

ah ok it could be the drive. Have you tried the tapes in a different backup unit?

Also you can normally tell when the unit is on its way out as it makes a crunching sound when the heads try to read/write to the tape


Also have you tried a new cleaning tape. If not try to get one and clean the unit 3 times by pushing the tape back in

Many companies actually can replace the heads for quite a resonable price

 

[nell1]

Have tried a new tape but it just ejects it. I will try pushing it in 3 times though.. not tried that yet. Thanks again.

 

[Smorgan11]

Veritas told me once that on some occasions you need to clean the heads 3 times that all

Hope this helps

Regards

Simon

 

[mattjurado]

Cleaning tapes also don't last forever. If you try a new cleaning tape, it normally takes no longer than a minute on most drives, then it ejects. If you then run new tapes for a week and still have problems, I would definitely start looking at hardware costs (i.e. repair, replacement, etc...).

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.