LTO Memory cartridge failures

I experienced the same problem with my Power Vault 128t running Backup Exec 8.6. The problem occurred when the tapes were replaced. The new tapes were FujiFilm Ultrium LTO's. The only thing that appeared different is that they say native compressed. I switched back to the old tapes and did not have a problem.

I could not find documentation on the problem with either Dell, Veritas or Fujifilm.

I have been getting the same issue running a Power Vault 122T LTO.  I've had at least 20% of the tapes I've put in the device come up with a Memory cartridge failed.  That number could be higher, I haven't weeded all of them out yet.  This server is running Windows 2000, SP3 and Backup Exec version 9.0.

Dell has replaced the LTO drive.  I have upgraded all the drivers and firmware on the server it is currently installed on.  I have rebuilt the OS on the server from scratch.  I have also tried it on a different server.  I have replaced the SCSI cable.  I have upgraded from Backup Exec version 8.6 to version 9.0.  I have not replaced the SCSI controller which is an Adaptec 39160 that came with the drive.  It was used on both servers.  I have always gotten "The Memory in the tape cartridge has failed", Event ID 65313. 

Only other thing I haven't tried, is replacing the media to see if it is faulty.  The tapes I'm using are Dell's brand and they say Ultrium 1 LTO data cartridge.  100GB Native / 200 GB Compressed.  Cause of the cost of the tapes haven't pursued replacing them too quickly.

Been working on resolving this issue off and on for three months now.  Any help would be appreciated.  Glad to know I'm not the only.

 

I believe the issue is related to the media not the tape library. The tapes that read "native compression 100/200gb" always generate the memory cartridge failure. The tapes without native compression work without issue.

I agree.

Had the same problem with Dell branded LTO1 tape cartridges. Dell immediately offered to replace the tape cartridges free of charge.

I have exactly the same problem, and its driving me crazy.

We have a PE2600 with internal PowerVault 110T LTO drive.  W2k Server Sp3, BackUpExec for NT/2000 v8.6

We bought 10 brand new Fuji Film native 100GB LTO-Ultrium 1 tapes.  About half of them generate the above error message, even though Backup Exec reports Backup Success, and I can successfully restore data with no problems.

I tried find a reason why the error would be generated, but neither Backup Exec, Dell or FujiFilm would give a definite answer...instead saying I should ask the tape manu., or the backup software vendor etc etc. passing responsibility for the problem onto other parties.

 

So, to clear things up, should I purchase only LTO tapes without native compression?  But isn`t that what 1000Gb native means..ie. 100GB not compressed?  I`m a little confused here..  Or is it, I should purchase LTO tapes that say for example, 100GB capacity, with no reference to native/compressed numbers?

If I choose to ignore the error warnings and continue using my current tapes, will I eventually lose data on the backup tape because of the cartridge memory failure?

If anyone could clarify the situation for me, it would be much appreciated.

Danny

 

I'm not sure if this will clarify things at all, but from what I am told each tape has a Cartridge Memory. Supposedly this is a "chip" which communicates through RF to the tape drive to let the drive know tape information etc... 

 

I'm having the same problem - using HP branded LTO tapes.  I have the latest Dell firmware available, the latest scsi drivers, and the correct tape drivers for BackupExec.  This is happening on Backupexec 8.6 and 9.

I have a customer with the Dell LTO 110T tape drive that just purchased the Fuji tapes and is receiving the same issue on the tapes.  We did the firmware upgrade, which did allow the backup to finish, but with a fail state in Backup Exec 8.6 3878.

 

Has anyone tried it with different brand tapes such as Sony, Imation or Maxell?

 

Steve

I am having the same problem and have experienced it with both Dell and Imation LTO 100/200gb tapes.  I would say I receive the error about 10-20% of the time.  I am using a Powervault 110T LTO drive and a Poweredge 2500 server running Win2000 SP4 with Backup Exec 8.6 Rev 3878.  This seems to be happening to too many different tape brands for it to be a media issue.  I can't imagine all of these tape manufacturers are putting out tapes with the same problem.  In researching, I saw a message where someone referenced using a different driver for the tape device that said it fixed the problem for them but I can't find the darn posting any more.  Anyone else have any ideas?  This is driving me batty.