We are concerned that several sites have not returned Archive Level II data tapes to NCDC for several months due to frustration with the device.

If routine troubleshooting is not successful, and you have replaced your recording device already, the Hotline can walk the technician through procedures to activate the data log and retrieve the results upon detection of the failure. The data log is not ordinarily used because the file size could quickly become excessive. The log needs to be activated only in the event you are experiencing problems and there is a need to capture this data.

If you are experiencing trouble with the Archive II subsystem, here are some suggestions:

1. Replace all the tapes in the rack with new tapes. This is due to problems associated with dirty tapes, and/or partially written header information that causes tapes to have write errors or other drive problems.

2. Clean the drive every 10 tapes, using an unexpired tape head cleaner.

3. Ensure that the SCSI ID and DIP switch settings are valid on both the Tape Drive and the Jukebox. The Jukebox settings do not overwrite the settings of the Tape Drive, the two settings are summed.

4. If the jukebox is removing and replacing tapes, it is working.

5. The Macrolink board is difficult to seat in the slot in the Concurrent chassis. If your diagnostics fail, try reseating the Macrolink board.

6. Verify that the Micro 5 Backplane wiring is according to EHB 6-560/AF TO 31P1-4-108-251/FAA TI 6460.1 V28.

7. The ROC has ascertained that certain brands of 8mm tape drive cleaning tape to be ineffective. Technicians would indicate that they had performed the PMI by inserting the Perfect Data cleaning tape in the tape drive but the drive would reject the cleaning tape. Consequently, the tape drive heads were not being cleaned. The NLSC has purged these tapes from stock. The only cleaning tape available is the Exabyte Premium Cleaning Cartridge. If a site still has the Perfect Data cleaning tape, they should order a replacement cleaning tape .

   Please note that the Exabyte 18C cleaning cartridge should be used for no more than 12 cleanings; attempts to use the tape cleaner beyond this limit will not clean the tape heads.

8. Ensure that a minimum of two (2) volume scans/VCPs be recorded to tape before the Archive II device is shut-down or disabled.

9. If you are using a degaussed tape, you may experience problems where the system assumes the tape is not blank. In such cases, the tape will need to be reinitialized. There are several ways to initialize an 8mm tape, but the following is the simplest method:
   1. Install the 8mm tape in the Tape Drive,

   2. With the RDA application software not active (i.e. TERP <password> entered at the RDA Applications Terminal), enter the following after the * prompt at the RDA System Console:

      (1) REW EXA:<Return>	(Rewinds 8mm tape to load point)
      (2) D T,EXA:<Return>	(Writes an unrecognizable header to the tape)
      (3) REW EXA:<Return>	(Rewinds the tape to load point after step (2) is complete; wait two minutes for tape to rewind).

   3. This tape is now ready to use for Archive II purposes. At this point you can bring the RDA application software up and enable Archive II. The software will write a new (and correct) label to the tape.