Quantum A-Series User Manual

Chapter 3  Using Your Tape Drive

Power On Self-Test (POST) Troubleshooting

Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide

23

Power On Self-Test (POST) Troubleshooting

This section provides troubleshooting information that might be helpful 

should the system fail its power on self-test (POST).
See the data cartridge appendices in this document (

) for 

complete visual inspection instructions for Super DLTtape II data 

cartridges.
The Web site 

 also includes valuable information about 

SDLT systems.

3

The A-Series tape drive performs a power on self-test (POST) each time 

the tape drive is powered on. POST normally completes in 10 to 15 

seconds—when a data cartridge is not in the tape drive— when the unit is 

powered on. However, if a data cartridge is in the tape drive when the 

unit is powered on, POST duration is longer, depending on how much 

tape in the data cartridge may be loaded in the tape drive.
See 

 to help familiarize yourself with the 

LEDs on the front panel. 
For the SDLT 600A tape drive, Stage 3 in the following table provides the 

sequence of operations to expect when power is turned on. 

Table 5   LED Lighting Pattern 
During Power-On Self-Test 
(POST)

1 (Power 

On)

All LEDs illuminate for approximately one second.

2

The LEDs flash on, then off in a progressing pattern from 

left to right. Stages 1 and 2 generally complete within 

approximately five seconds.

3

The right LEDs remain off, the left LED illuminates 

steadily, and the middle LED flashes until POST 

completes. This stage typically lasts for 5 to 10 seconds.