MFE SCF: error message: HCPCMM296E FlashCopy failure code '85' on z/VM

Summary: z/VM FlashCopy fails because there are SnapVX snapshots on the FlashCopy target devices

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

z/VM FlashCopy to three unused DASD volumes (4DE0-4DE2) fails and produces the following error message;

HCPCMM296E Status is not as required - 4DE0; an unexpected condition
HCPCMM296E occurred while executing a FLASHCOPY command, code = 85.

 

Explanation of the z/VM FlashCopy error message is as follows: 

-- Status is not as required - {rdev|vdev}; an unexpected condition occurred while executing a FLASHCOPY command, code = code         
                                                                             
An attempt to execute a FLASHCOPY command has failed. The code is the hexadecimal format code in sense byte 8 that describes the error condition: 
                          
   Code    Reason                                                              
   X'85'   The specified target volume is a Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy primary or secondary
              volume.                                                  
 
The rdev or vdev displayed identifies the device where the error occurred. 

                                                                     
System Action:  The command is rejected.
                                                                    
User Response:  Correct any user errors identified in the codes. If there is no user error, wait a few minutes and retry the operation. If the error persists, contact the appropriate hardware service personnel.  The error reason code 85 is defined as:

In the IBM documentation System data mover return and reason codes,
(X'85') FlashCopy target device in conflict with Copy Services status (XRC or PPRC).  

Note:  The Diagnostic information for reason code 85 is misleading as it only references IBM copy services and doesn’t include Dell products.            

This error is reported when the FlashCopy target cannot be used because it is already a SNAPVX SNAPSHOT source. The FlashCopy target cannot be a SNAPVX source. 

Cause

FlashCopy is blocked because the FlashCopy targets contain z/OS snapshots.  
 
 

Resolution

Delete the snapshots on the FlashCopy target devices.   These are causing FlashCopy to be blocked.  

Affected Products

Mainframe Enablers
Article Properties
Article Number: 000185036
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 09 أيار 2026
Version:  3
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