H133402.TXT - 4/10GB TAPE DRIVE APPEARS HUNG, ERROR RECOVERY SYMPTOM: During tape backup operations the 4/10GB 4mm Tape drive may appear to hang for extended periods of time (up to 15 minutes). PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS: The tape drive is a 4mm, 4/10GB DAT SCSI Tape Drive, FRU P/N16G8454 or FRU P/N16G8456. FIX: The tape drive may be in an Error Recovery Process (ERP). During this process, the tape drive may appear to be hung or inoperative for up to 15 minutes. Do not reboot or force ejection during the ERP. This is a normal tape drive function and no action is necessary. When ERP is complete, the backup will continue. The Error Recovery Process occurs if the tape drive experiences data write errors above a certain threshold level. Write errors may occur due to the presence of foreign matter, dust, or tape oxide. The tape drive detects a write error, reverses to the beginning of the data block, then moves forward spacing over that area of tape, and re-writes the data record. Then normal write operations continue. While the exact ERP varies by model, this is a normal error recovery occurrence in magnetic tape drives. If ERP is occurring often, the customer should clean the tape drive with a cleaning cartridge FRU P/N21F8763, or try a new tape, or try a new brand of tape.