NonStop S-Series Operations Guide (G06.24+)
Tape Drives: Monitoring and Recovery
HP NonStop S-Series Operations Guide—522459-007
10-9
Monitoring the Status of Labeled-Tape Operations
Monitoring the Status of Labeled-Tape Operations
Use the MEDIACOM STATUS TAPEDRIVE and STATUS TAPEMOUNT commands to 
determine the current status of labeled-tape operations on your system. 
For additional information about MEDIACOM, the listings it generates, and the tasks it 
enables you to perform:
•
DSM/Tape Catalog Operator Interface (MEDIACOM) Manual
•
DSM/Tape Catalog User’s Guide
•
Guardian User’s Guide  
Identifying Tape Drive Problems
Table 10-1 lists some of the most common tape drive problems and their possible 
causes. 
Table 10-1. Common Tape Drive Problems 
Symptom Problem Possible Causes
File-system error 
48
A security violation has 
occurred.
An attempted operation was not 
allowed.
File-system error 
49
Various An unexpired labeled tape was used.
File-system error 
51
A runaway tape has been 
detected.
The system has tried to read a blank 
tape.
File-system error 
66
Various A hardware failure has occurred, or 
the tape drive has been purposely 
brought down.
File-system error 
100
A device is not ready. A tape drive has been brought down, 
or the drive is not online.
File-system error 
195
An operation requires use of 
$ZSVR, but it is not running. 
Tape operation is not allowed.
$ZSVR has been purposely stopped.
File-system error 
218
An interrupt timeout occurs. An 
I/O process cannot 
communicate with a tape drive.
A ServerNet addressable controller 
(SAC) has failed.
No error A tape label record is missing 
or incorrect.
An attempt was made to access a 
tape with a missing or incorrect label. 
No error A tape fails to respond to a 
BACKUP command.
A tape with an inappropriate label 
type was mounted in error.
No error A tape continues to spin 
beyond the load point.
The load point has fallen off.
No error Every time a tape is mounted, it 
is unloaded.
A labeled tape is being mounted in a 
drive that is open for unlabeled use. 










