3 Troubleshooting



This chapter describes how to diagnose a problem with a Desktop Storage Module .

Some of the applicable symptoms are the following:

Keep in mind that this chapter does not cover all symptoms you might experience with Desktop Storage Modules, nor does it cover all steps which can be done to repair the DSM. Thorough hardware and software product knowledge is required to troubleshoot and repair a DSM.

Unresponsive to Command

If the disk or tape drive is not responding to a command, you will get an error message. Following is an example of a boot error message and a mount error message.

    Figure 3-1 A Boot Error Message

    Figure 3-2 A Mount Error Message

Possible Causes

What to Do

    1. Make sure that the power cord is connected to the DSM and to the wall outlet. Make sure that the DSM is turned on.

    Type the command again. Follow the next step if you still get the error message.

    2. Check that the SCSI cable is connected properly. Check for bent or pushed pins on the cable.

    Make sure that the cable is not crimped, pinched, under excessive tension or resting on sharp edges. Correct the problem or replace the cable. See the next step if the problem persists.

    3. Verify that the LED is lit and that the fan is running.

    Refer to Table 3-1. If none of the items in Table 3-1 applies, go to the next step.

    Table 3-1 LED and Fan Problems

Problem Corrective Action The LED is not lit and the fan to the disk Replace the LED. Refer to Chapter 9.
drive is running. The green LED is not lit and the fan to the Replace the tape drive. Note that it is not necessary to
tape drive is running. replace the tape drive if the LED is the only problem
with the DSM. Refer to Chapter 6. The LED is lit and the fan is not running. Replace the I/O bracket assembly. Refer to Chapter 8. The LED is not lit and the fan is not Replace the power supply. Refer to Chapter 7.
running.
    4. Enter the probe-scsi command to verify if the drive is connected and has the correct address.

    The following screen summarizes the steps you need to halt the system and enter the probe-scsi test.

    If the DSM with the problem is not shown on the screen, make sure that the SCSI cable is connected properly.

    If the SCSI address is not set correctly, set it as shown in Table 3-2.

    After setting the SCSI address, turn the DSM off and wait about 60 seconds before turning it on again.

Note - Make sure that the SCSI address of the drive has not already been assigned to another internal or external SCSI device.

    Table 3-2 SCSI Address for DSM and Unix ID Number for Desktop Systems

Unit SCSI Address Desktop Unix ID # Desktop Storage Module:
Disk Drive 0 sd3
1* sd1
2 sd2
3* sd0
Tape Drive 4 st0
5 st1 * Do not assign this SCSI address to the DSM if it has been assigned to a
SCSI device in your system.
Do not assign SCSI Address 6 (reserved for CD-ROM) or 7 (reserved for
processor) to the DSM.
    5. Make sure that the internal SCSI cable is connected properly. Check for bent or pushed pins on the cable.

    See Chapter 5 if the DSM contains a disk drive, or see Chapter 6 if the DSM contains a tape drive. These chapters show the proper connection of the SCSI cable between the drive and the I/O bracket. Correct the problem, or replace the I/O bracket assembly. See the next step if the problem persists.

    6. Check the continuity of the SCSI cable with a Volt-Ohmmeter (VOM).

    If the continuity test fails, replace the I/O bracket assembly. If the problem persists, continue with the next step.

    7. Remove and replace the defective disk or tape drive.
    8. See Chapter 5 if you are replacing a defective disk drive, or Chapter 6 if you are replacing a defective tape drive.

Tape is Ejected or Cannot Be Inserted

Possible Causes

What to Do

    1. Check that 112-meter 8mm tapes are used.

    Tapes are available from Sun. See Figure 1-7 for the tape part number.

    2. Insert the tape correctly into the drive.

    See the Desktop Storage Module Installation Guide, for information on how to load the tape correctly into the DSM.

    3. Clean the head of the tape drive.

    For information on cleaning the tape drive head, see the Desktop Storage Module Installation Guide.

    4. Replace the tape if the problem persists.

    It is most likely you have a defective tape. Use a different tape and try to load it again.

    5. Replace the tape drive if the problem persists.

    See Chapter 6 to replace the tape drive.

Read/Write Error

An example of a read/write error message is shown below.

An example of a SCSI error message appears in the console window of the system as shown below:

Possible Causes

What to Do

    1. Make sure that the power cord is connected to the DSM and to the wall outlet and the DSM is turned on.

    Type the command again. Follow the next step if you still get the error message.

    2. Check that the SCSI cable is connected properly. Check for bent or pushed pins on the cable.

    Make sure that the cable is not crimped, pinched, under excessive tension or resting on sharp edges. Correct the problem or replace the cable. See the next step if the problem persists.

    3. Verify that the LED is lit and the fan is running.

    Refer to Table 3-3. If none of the items in Table 3-3 applies, go to the next step.

    Table 3-3 LED and Fan Problems

Problem Corrective Action The LED is not lit and the fan to the disk Replace the LED. Refer to Chapter 9.
drive is running. The green LED is not lit and the fan to the Replace the tape drive. Note that it is not necessary to
tape drive is running. replace the tape drive if the LED is the only problem
with the DSM. Refer to Chapter 6. The LED is lit and the fan is not running. Replace the I/O bracket assembly. Refer to Chapter 8. The LED is not lit and the fan is not Replace the power supply. Refer to Chapter 7.
running.

    If the DSM contains a disk drive, you can skip steps 4 and 5.

    4. Verify that the tape is not write-protected.

    Refer to the Desktop Storage Module Installation Guide.

    5. Check that the tape cartridge is inserted properly.

    Refer to the Desktop Storage Module Installation Guide.

    6. Make sure that the internal SCSI cable is connected properly.

    See Chapter 5 if the DSM contains a disk drive, or Chapter 6 if the DSM contains a tape drive. These chapters show the proper connection of the SCSI cable between the drive and the I/O bracket. Correct the problem, or replace the I/O bracket assembly. See the next step if the problem persists.

    7. Check the continuity of the SCSI cable with a Volt-Ohmmeter (VOM).

    If the continuity test fails, replace the I/O bracket assembly. If the problem persists, continue with the next step.

    8. Remove and replace the defective disk or tape drive.
    9. Verify that the drive is indeed defective by running Sundiag.

    You must be logged in as root (superuser) to run Sundiag. The following screen shows you how to use Sundiag to perform some tests on disk and tape drives:

    After a few seconds the following menu will appear on your screen:

    If your DSM contains a disk drive, run rawtest (read and write test) to perform read-only and read-write tests on local disks, using generic SunOS routines. The fstest exercises the disk controller and the disk drive. If your DSM contains a tape drive, you can run tapetest. Please see Sundiag User's Guide for more information.

    The following screen shows you a menu of rawtest and fstest:

To replace a defective drive, see Chapter 5.

The following screen is an example of a menu of tapetest:

To replace a defective tape drive, refer to Chapter 6.