Start a Media Validation

Evaluate a tape cartridge by reading data previously written on the tape. The tape is considered valid if the drive does not encounter errors during the read.

Caution:

Repeated use of media validation will reduce the life of the tape. Do not use this feature frequently.

1. From the Library page or Tapes table, right-click a tape.
2. Select Start Media Validation.
   If the option is grayed-out, there is not a compatible drive available. Available drives show "Ready" in the Media Validation Status of the Drives table.
3. If there are multiple compatible drives, select the drive to use from the Media Validation Drive drop-down list.
4. Select the Media Validation Type from the drop-down. Click OK.
5. View the progress and results using the Tapes table, Drives table, or Library page. See Monitor Media Validation for more information.

   Note:

   If a host requests a tape currently being validated, the library stops the validation and dismounts the tape to its original location, then the library performs the host operation. The host is not aware of the dismount except that the move or mount can appear to take longer than normal.

6. If there is an error with the validation, you should first try the tape in another drive.