Cleaning cycle for PowerVault 112T

[Pam Astor]

> Let me just say right now, that I don't have one, or know the answer.
> 
> But, I'm reading the 110t user guide, and searched on Dell's forum, and have
> some questions....
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/stor%2Dsys/110T%5F80/en/ug/usage.htm

Oh...thanks Dennis.  OK I read it, so does this mean the light only comes on when a head
cleaning is needed?
 
> You are trying to run a cleaning cylce, because the "Clean Media" light is
> on, right?

No the light is not on never has been.  I thought the light comes on while
the drive cleaning cartridge is cleaning to confirm cleaning,
I guess it only comes on when the drive needs cleaning?....

> You don't actually say that, but you DO say "but at no time does the "clean
> media" light light up or flash.", so I just want to be sure.

Yes, I have not seen the clean/media light come on at all, whether cleaning
tape is in unit or not.
 
> So, if the light is not on, it does not need a cleaning. Maybe that's what
> is going on.

Sounds like it, can anyone confirm this?

> Also from the user guide:
 
> "CAUTION: Use only Dell approved cleaning cartridges in the PowerVault 110T
> DLT VS 80 drive. See Recommended Tapes in Specifications for a list of
> approved cleaning cartridges. Use of any other type of cleaning cartridge
> can damage the read/write head in your drive. If you load any other type of
> cleaning cartridge or method, the PowerVault 110T DLT VS 80 drive ejects it
> after approximately 25 seconds."
> 
> It is one of these cartridges, right? this sounds more like what you are
> describing...
> 
> Recommended Tapes 
> Cleaning
> Dell 57HGU 
> Benchmark BMKDLT1-02 

The cleaning tape I am/was using is a Benchmark BMKDLT1-02. 
 
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/stor%2Dsys/110T%5F80/en/ug/specs.htm
>   
> 
> And from:
> http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=pv_raid&me
> ssage.id=3631&query.id=262996#M3631
> 
>  
> Cleaning Considerations
> 
> DLT tape drives do not need periodic cleaning. Only clean DLT tape drives
> when a request ismade by backup software, when a cleaning indicator is seen
> on the drive, or whentroubleshooting. Although DLT 4000/7000/8000/DLT1 and
> VS80 drives use the same Type IVdata media, they do not use the same
> cleaning tape.

In this regard, is there any way I can determine if the drive needs cleaning, independent
of the clean/media light?  For example what if the clean/media light burns out, 
isn't there also a command or dell software utility I can install onto server
to have the drive check the heads to see if they need a clean cycle?  As far as
backup software is concerned, I use Storix 6.2, I don't think it has this kind of utility.

> the VS80 needs a DLT/VS Cleaning Tape Light browncolored. May bedesignated
> "DLT1"or "VS80." 
> 
> AND NOT  and Cleaning Tape III Typically cream colored and abeled "DLT
> Cleaning Tape III."
> 
>  
> Again, if it's not asking for one, it's not needed....
> 
> Finally, this is the Poweredge-Linux list....
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