UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

hello,

I don't know what exactly the cause and the solution!!

suddenly I receive this error message when I want to use the 8mm tape drive

"I/O write error"

I disconnect the tape drive and I hook it in another WS and I receive this error :-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 scsi: WARNING: /pci@1f,4000/scsi@3,1/st@4,0 (st11):
tar: write error: I/O error
omjs24# Oct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 Error for Command: write Error
Level: Fatal
Oct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 scsi: Requested Block: 308 Error
Block: 308
Oct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 scsi: Vendor: EXABYTE Seria
l Number:
Oct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 scsi: Sense Key: Media Error
Oct 1 01:46:20 omjs24 scsi: ASC: 0x3 (<vendor unique code 0x3>), ASCQ: 0x2,
FRU: 0x0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I tried this with tar /dev/rmt/1n * <-- with no option

what could be the problem!!!!!!!!

When I tried:
tar /dev/rmt/1n *
I got:
tar: /: unknown option

What version of unix are you using? And are you using the standard tar program? Every version of tar that I have ever seen requires a function code. Could it be that yours does too?

Actually I'm using the standard tar program ( sun 2.6)

and the command tar cvf /dev/rmt/1n and I meant with no option
is that to specify the device option like Compress for high density o low density .... etc.

What do you mean with suddenly, how long did the tape run before you get the error message.

QUESTIONS?

1) Did the tape(-drive) worked before correctly?
2) Did you try a new (other) tape?
3) Does the data fit on the tape, do you reach 'end of tape'

I looked up the codes in the scsi standard...

Sense Key "Media Error" really that means an i/o operation was terminated due to a non-recoverable error. It is a little optimistic to call this a "media error"....the drive could easily be bad. ASC (Additional Sense Code) 3 means "Peripheral Device Write Fault". And ASCQ (Additional Sense Code Qualifier) 2 means "No Write Current". So basicly the driver asked the device to perform a write, the device tried, and the device failed.

This would not point to a cable or a incorrectly terminated scsi chain. And the problem followed the drive to a new computer.

So everything is pointing to the drive itself. Have you tried cleaning the heads? A new tape? If so, you probably have a bad drive.

I guess a ASC of 3 and ASCQ of 2 means " Excessive Write errors" isnt it ..?
Either way it points to the drive ...