1. If a FID or ATTN message appears on the display, record the code for future reference.
2. Initiate a manual recovery attempt by pressing the Unload switch. The recovery is successful if the attention indicator LED on the loader is turned off. If the attention indicator LED on the loader begins flashing, perform the procedure that is listed in “Attention Indicator LED Flashes”.
3. If the attention indicator LED on the loader remains on continuously after you press the Unload switch three times, issue a VARY ONLINE
command. This command is issued to the operating system from the host operator’s console. (When the subsystem presents error information, it posts an error message.) This step must be performed from an operating system that currently has a path access to this device.
If the attention indicator LED remains on continuously, continue with the following steps:
v Issue a VARY OFFLINE command from the host operator’s console of the operating system.
v Issue a VARY ONLINE command to the operating system from the host operator’s console.
v If a FID or ATTN message appears on the operator panel, record the code and report it to your service representative.
4. If the attention indicator LED remains on continuously after you repeat the recovery procedure three times, call your service representative. If a FID or
ATTN message appears on the message display, record the error code and report it to your service representative.
Chapter 7. 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape and Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape
The 3590 tape drive has a bidirectional read/write head with a recording format of 256 tracks for Exx models and 128 tracks for Bxx models. Both series of models concurrently processes 16 tracks per group. The bidirectional head writes 16 tracks from the load point to the physical end of tape. It then writes 16 tracks from the physical end of tape back to the load point. To eliminate the rewind operation, fully written tapes are always positioned at the load point.
Attention: Do not degauss a cartridge tape. Degaussing the tape will erase the servo tracks and make the cartridge unusable. Run a Data Security Erase if the data on the tape needs to be physically erased. This physically
overwrites the data on the tape without damaging the servo tracks.
Figure 19 is for illustration purposes only. Note that items4 and 5 are dependent on the supply source.
The following lists the individual components of the High Performance Cartridge Tape:
v 1 Leader block (blue for High Performance Cartridge Tape and green for Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape)
v 2 Reel of magnetic tape
Figure 19. IBM 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape
v 3 Leader block latch
v 4 File-protect selector (dependent on supplier) v 5 File-protect selector (dependent on supplier) v 6 Cartridge case (black)
v 7 Labels
v 8 Identification notches (blue for High Performance Cartridge Tape and green for Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape)
Note: The leader block (see item1) is shown unlatched with a length of tape (see item2) which extends from the cartridge. This is for illustration purposes only. Do not unlatch the leader block from the cartridge.
The drive mechanism unlatches the tape leader block when a cartridge is inserted into a tape drive. It then pulls the tape leader out of the cartridge, and threads the tape onto a non-removable machine reel in the drive for automatic load.
Each data cartridge includes a file-protect selector which, when set, prevents data from being written on or erased from the tape by a tape device.
In tape libraries, the library vision system identifies the types of cartridges during an inventory operation. The vision system reads a volume serial number (VOLSER) label on the edge of the cartridge. The VOLSER is a bar-code label that contains from one to six characters. It has blanks padded on the right for a VOLSER with fewer than six characters. The media type is indicated with an appended seventh character. See Table 29.
Table 29. Media Types
Type Seventh Character
3590 Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape K
3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape J
3490E Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape E
Standard 3480 Cartridge System Tape 1
Note: Use of a label without the seventh character J or K is recommended for Model C12 and C14 (refer to IBM TotalStorage Silo Compatible Tape Frame 3590 Introduction, Planning, and User’s Guide for more information). Characters can be uppercase A–Z and numerics 0–9.
Place the VOLSER label entirely within the label recess on the cartridge. It must be flat to within 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) over the length of the label and have no folds, missing pieces, tears, or any extraneous markings. Failure to follow these placement requirements will result in degraded readability.
The tape cartridges have blue insert identification notches for High Performance Cartridge Tape and green notches for Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape. The leader block assembly is blue for High Performance Cartridge Tape and green for Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape. The 3590 cleaning cartridge has gray insert identification notches and a gray leader block assembly.
The IBM 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape is not compatible with 3480, 3490, or 3490E drives. It can be used only on 3590 High Performance Tape Subsystems. Only a 3590 subsystem can read tape cartridges that are written by a 3590 subsystem. 3490 and 3490E subsystems do not read 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridges. The 3590 subsystem detects cartridges that are written by 3490 or 3490E subsystems. A 3590 subsystem can not read those cartridges.
Neither the IBM 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape nor the Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape are compatible with 3480, 3490, or 3490E drives. They can be used only on 3590 High Performance Tape Subsystems.
Only a 3590 subsystem can read tape cartridges that are written by a 3590 subsystem. The 3490 and 3490E subsystems do not read 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape or the Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridges. The 3590 subsystem detects cartridges that are written by 3490 or 3490E subsystems. A 3590 subsystem can not read those cartridges.
Data can be copied from 3480 or 3490 standard cartridges or enhanced capacity (3490E) cartridges by using appropriate 3490/3490E subsystems. The data can then be written to 3590 High Performance Cartridge Tape or
Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape cartridges which are mounted on a 3590 subsystem. Copying data from these cartridges, to enhanced capacity cartridges or standard cartridges, may require multiple 3490/3490E volumes.
This is because datasets may exceed the capacity of these cartridges.