MAI COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL FIELD INFORMATION BULLETIN SERVICE GROUP(S): MINI MFG: CIPHER NACS TYPE(S): 4403 MFG. MODEL(S): 540,CTS CATEGORY: MAGNETIC TAPE I/O DESC: 1/4" STREAMER *** TABLE OF CONTENTS AS OF 07/08/92 *** FIB 00001.General Information.........................................05/06/88 FIB 00002.Recommendations for reliable operation......................05/20/85 FIB 00003.MCS use on 13xx Systems.....................................06/17/85 FIB 00004.BOSS 4.5B BBIITS backup.....................................11/01/85 FIB 00005.ERROR -2 and ERROR -62 during backup on the 2000 System.....12/05/85 FIB 00006.System 2000, MCS backup.....................................03/26/86 FIB 00007.MAI 2000 System possible data miscompare with MCS unit......05/19/86 FIB 00008.1/4" tape drive retrofit program............................05/20/86 FIB 00009.MCS locking lever breakage..................................06/19/86 FIB 00010.Possible R/W Head Damage - 2000 Systems Installed Vertically02/25/88 FIB 00011.Failures with certain types of cartridges - adjust EOT/BOT s05/06/88 FIB 00012.Apparent DOA Tape Units due to EOT/BOT Adjustment [ WPSF 58001/17/90 FIB 00013.Head Cleaning ..............................................06/17/92 MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------Table Of Contents Pg01 of 01 FIB 00001 05/06/88 *** General Information *** The Cipher model 540 cartridge tape streamer is a microprocessor controlled, 1/4" tape drive. It only operates in streaming (continuous) mode, specifically designed as a fixed disk backup. The 540 conforms to the QIC-02 Intelligent Interface Standard and QIC-24 Data Interchange Format Standard. The read/write speed is 90 inches per second (ips). Nine tracks of data are recorded in a serpentine format. All recorded tracks are verified using a read-after-write configuration. The data recording density is 8000 bits per inch (bpi),.using Run-Length-Limited/Group-Code recording. With cartridges containing 450 feet of 1/4 inch magnetic recording tape, the total formatted data capacity. is 45 megabytes (Mb). PLEASE NOTE THAT 600-FOOT TAPES CANNOT BE USED IN THE CT540 DUE TO THE GREAT DIFFERENCE IN COERCIVITY (RECORDING PROPERTIES) AND THE HIGHLY ABRASIVE NATURE OF THE THINNER TAPE USED IN 600-FOOT CARTRIDGES. READ/WRITE FAILURES AND EXCESSIVE HEAD WEAR WILL RESULT FROM THE USE OF 600-FOOT TAPES IN THE CT540. When used in Basic Four Systems it may be packaged as a complete standalone unit, with it's own power supply or it may be built into the processor to which. it is attached. *** NACS MACHINE TYPES AND FEATURE NUMBERS *** 4403 *** AVAILABLE DOCUMENTATION *** 1/4" Magnetic Cartridge Streamer Service Manual MBF 8082 - S-HDBK-B56 *** AVAILABLE TRAINING *** Formal training at Education Centers in the 2000/3000/MPx Systems classes *** SPECIAL TOOLS *** None *** SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDURES *** None ORIGINATOR: JOHN ROGERS MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB001 Pg001 FIB 00002 05/20/85 *** Recommendations for reliable operation *** To help prevent read/write failures and enhance reliability of the MCS unit, the following is recommended: 1. The head on the drive should be cleaned after every four hours of use. (Cleaning kits are available from Basic Four) 2. Before any tape is wtitten to or read from, it should be environmentally conditioned to the usage area and it should be retensioned. A tape can be retensioned by any of the following ways: o mcslabel - This procedure both erases and retensions the tape o mcssave - This will retension and erase the tape only if the non-append option is selected. However, this procedure is usually done in conjunction with mcslabel. o mcsrestore - This will retension the tape if that option is selected. 3. The room temperature in which the tape drive is operating should be maintained between 65 and 75 degrees. ORIGINATOR: MBF Product Support MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB002 Pg001 FIB 00003 06/17/85 *** MCS use on 13xx Systems *** PROBLEM: 13XX Systems with MCS and MTR/MTS halts when loading. SOLUTION: MCS Tape Drives are an 'OFF-LINE' device only. MTC and MTR/MTS may be 'ON-LINE' or 'OFF-LINE'. Configuration may include a mix of these devices. However, due to hardware constraints at this time, a MCS Controller (MM550040) and a MTR/MTS Controller (MM620011) may NOT be installed in a System at the same time. The system will fail to load (halt) if both are physically present. The Silver Diagnostics may not function properly with the MCS Controller in the System (may report MTR present). Diagnostic ":MCS" is available for testing the MCS. ORIGINATOR: J. RIPPL MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB003 Pg001 FIB 00004 11/01/85 *** BOSS 4.5B BBIITS backup *** PROBLEM: An error 0 during "Now Writing Tape Label" will sometimes display "ERR-17" or "ERR-27". The following changes will correct this problem. SOLUTION: LOAD "*DSTPE" Change statement 8010: OLD: 8010 PRINT @(10,21), 'RB', "TAPE NOT READY, PLEASE WAIT"; GOSUB 7500; RETRY NEW: 8010 PRINT @(10,21), 'RB', "TAPE NOT READY, PLEASE WAIT"; IF TCB (5)=220 THEN GOTO 220 ELSE IF TCB(5)=7120 THEN GOTO 7120 ELSE IF TCB(5)=310 THEN GOTO 310 ELSE RETRY ORIGINATOR: J. RIPPL MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB004 Pg001 FIB 00005 12/05/85 *** ERROR -2 and ERROR -62 during backup on the 2000 System *** PROBLEM: Customer gets ERROR -2 and ERROR -62 while backing-up the hard disk to the Magnetic Cartridge Streamer. SYMPTOMS: o Problem is highly intermittent. o Usually fails in long back-ups of more than 400 files. o Problem persists after replacing the MCS and the MCS controller. SOLUTION: Two work-arounds are suggested by Basic Four to circumvent this problem until a permanent solution is found: 1. Do a 'filesystem' backup instead of a file-by-file backup. Filesystem backups are faster than file-by-file backups but individual files can not be restored from the backup tape. When a restore is required, the whole 'filesystem' must be restored from tape. Example of how to do a 'filesystem' backup of the root partition: o Root to the boot partition o use filesystem option on 'mcssave' and 'mcscompare' as follows: ADMIN> mcssave name=backup -f -v /dev/root ADMIN> mcscompare filesystem=/dev/root backup 2. Do multiple small file-by-file backups of less than 400 files each. When using multiple small backups, the customer should be able to restore individual files from the backup tape but the customer has to know the saveset where the file was saved. Multiple small backups may be done by writing a command file that executes the backups automatically cancelling the need to enter a command for each backup. Multiple small backups should not use any more tape than a single backup if the '-append' option is used. Example of how to do multiple small backups: o create command file 'mcs_backup' using 'ved': ADMIN> ved mcs_backup o enter commands in command file 'mcs_backup' mcssave name=backup1 -v -r /bin mcssave name=backup2 -v -r /etc -a mcssave name=backup3 -v -r /sys -a mcscompare backup1 backup2 backup3 o execute command file 'mcs_backup': ADMIN> command mcs_backup ORIGINATOR: J. VAN OORDT MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB005 Pg001 FIB 00006 03/26/86 *** System 2000, MCS backup *** Customer MCS backups MUST be done in Single User Mode, or the backup may contain corrupted data files. Files that have been OPENed and had information in them updated, may be saved to tape as corrupted files. This is because the Header information of a file is not usually updated until that file has been CLOSEd. Single User mode is recommended, so as to prevent users from logging on and processing data while the backup is in progress. 1. To go into Single User Mode from Multi-User Mode, type in the following under ADMIN: ADMIN>shutdown -- -1 -s 2. The customer can now follow his standard Backup Procedure. If his procedure requires him to be in Multi-User Mode, that is to enter an Account Name to proceed with the backup, the procedure will have to be altered to run in Single User Mode. 3. To go back to Multi-User Mode, depress CTRL-D under ADMIN and enter 'multi' at the prompt: single, multi, or shutdown? multi Reference: CTS No. 8613 ORIGINATOR: J. VAN OORDT MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB006 Pg001 FIB 00007 05/19/86 *** MAI 2000 System possible data miscompare with MCS unit *** The MCS controller PCBA, part number 903406-001, is currently being reworked in-house to purge all MB8128-10 (FUJITSU) parts at locations 4E and 4R. It is probable that the chip at location 4E causes intermittent data miscompare errors if used on this board. Though every effort has been made to avert shipping units with these chips, there is a possibility that some units may have escaped notice. If you find a system with this sympton, please inspect the two locations above for the described vendor's chip. If your system contains such chips, please exchange the board, and send the suspect board to your repair depot for upgrade in compliance with ECN #11285. ORIGINATOR: PETE KOEHLER MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB007 Pg001 FIB 00008 05/20/86 *** 1/4" tape drive retrofit program *** SYMPTOM: Backup problems PROBLEM DETERMINATION: Old style units need to be replaced FIX: The 1/4" MCS (Magnetic Cartridge Streamer) tape drive retrofit program is being implemented in the field with the purpose of replacing old style MCS Units attached to System 2000. The new style MCS unit contains new firmware and improved mechanical components. The MCS retrofit program does not apply to all 2000 Systems in the field. the retrofit kit is being shipped according to a customer list of systems shipped prior to September 1985. All MCS units shipped with 2000 Systems after September 1985 were the new style MCS. The same date applies to all MCS units shipped by NACS as spare parts. The new units are a prerequisite to perform tape backups and restores in streaming mode on 2000 Systems using OS level 7.2A. PRIOR TO INSTALLATION: - Check revision level of the unit to be replaced according to the procedure enclosed with the retrofit kit, to determine if the new drive is required. Some of the affected systems may already have the new style units. - Contact Basic Four/software vender for assistance if the customer has a large number of archive tapes. The new tape unit may have difficulty reading tapes written on the old unit. HARDWARE INSTALLATION: The procedure sent with the retrofit kit contains instructions to write alL archive tapes to disk and then create new archive tapes using the new MCS drive, to eliminate any incompatibility between old and new style MCS units. These steps must be done by Sorbus and Basic Four/software vender together to prevent problems should the restore/backup not work properly. Sorbus should install the hardware and Basic four/software vender should handle the archive tapes. Procedure when Basic Four or vender is available at customer's site: STEP PERFORMED BY DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE ----------------- ------------------------------------------------------- . 1. B/4 or vender - copy archive tapes to hard disk 2. Sorbus - install new tape unit 3. Sorbus - test unit by backing up a large directory, for example -. mcssave name=xxxx /util -r -v 4. Sorbus - check backup tape by comparing tape to hard disk - mcscompare -all 5. B/4 or vender - copy archive files from hard disk to tape to create new archive tapes. Procedure when B/4 or software vender is not available at customer's site: (performed by Sorbus personnel alone) MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB008 Pg001 ** THIS PROCEDURE DOES NOT WRITE TO THE DISK OR CREATE NEW ARCHIVE TAPES ** STEP TYPE DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE -------------- ------------------------------------------------------- 1. Optional - read one or more archive tapes with old tape unit - mcslist -all -long 2. Required - install new unit. 3. Optional - read the same archive tapes used in step 1 to check compatibility of the tape units - mcslist -all -long 4. Required - test the new unit by backing up any large directory. use the following command as an example - mcssave name=xxxx /util -r -v 5. Required - compare tape to disk using the command - mcscompare -all *** NOTE *** READ PROBLEMS WHILE PERFORMING STEPS 1 OR 3 MAY REQUIRE BASIC FOUR/SOFTWARE VENDOR ASSISTANCE TO CREATE NEW ARCHIVE TAPES. PARTS INFORMATION - MM540010/400412-001 Mag Tape Drive, 1/4" cartridge ORIGINATOR: J. VAN OORDT MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB008 Pg002 FIB 00009 06/19/86 *** MCS locking lever breakage *** The problem of excessive locking lever breakage has been reported in various service areas. The cure for this situation is to "get the feel" of actuating the locking lever without any cassette installed, then inserting a cassette. The trick is to remember that there should be very little if any difference in pressure required to lock the slide with a cassette in place. If a difference in pressure is noted, try removing and reinserting the cassette. Plastic is used because of ease of manufacture, and for protection of more sensitive components. If this lever should break it will have serviced its purpose well. It may be ordered under part #940382-001 for black and #940382-002 for gray. ORIGINATOR: PETE KOEHLER MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB009 Pg001 FIB 00010 02/25/88 *** Possible R/W Head Damage - 2000 Systems Installed Vertically *** SYMPTOM/TEXT: Be aware and warn customers using this style of tape drive on 2000 systems that are turned on their side to be very careful when inserting a cartridge in the unit to insure they are pushing it in straight. The cartridges have a tendency to fall down at this angle and push against the head, eventually breaking it off its mount. ORIGINATOR: John Tank MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB010 Pg001 FIB 00011 05/06/88 *** Failures with certain types of cartridges - adjust EOT/BOT sensor *** SYMPTOM: Immediate failure to function at all with certain brands/lots of tape cartridges. May respond to RESET command with slight tape motion, but does not attempt to Retension, Rewind, Read, or Write. PROBLEM DETERMINATION: If the Drive is observed from the bottom (out of its case), it will be noticed that the capstan motor will spin for a few revolutions as soon as the Read/Write head positioner stops moving after the drive is reset or the cartridge is inserted. No further movement of the capstan can be caused by the system. FIX: Re-position the EOT/BOT Sensor upward slightly (toward the PCBA) and re-test. The Sensor assembly is mounted with two Phillips-head screws that are accessible through the side of the drive without removing any hardware. It has been discovered that some tapes have the EOT/BOT sensing mirror mounted below the level of the tape media. The sensor looks 'under' the tape and 'sees' the hole. When it is unable to move the tape 'away from BOT', it goes 'off-line' to the system and refuses to accept any more commands. The approximate correct position for the EOT/BOT sensor assembly is 1/10 inch above the point at which the mounting screws bottom in the slots machined in the casting. Although many drives were slightly maladjusted from the beginning, it first became a problem when new brands and batches of tapes came into use. Be sure to test the drive thoroughly with several expendable tapes if you re-adjust the EOT/BOT sensor. ORIGINATOR: J.VanderHeyden MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB011 Pg001 FIB 00012 01/17/90 *** Apparent DOA Tape Units due to EOT/BOT Adjustment [ WPSF 580 ] *** There have been several cases when after a model 4403 (Cipher) 1/4-inch MTC tape unit is replaced, the replacement is reported DOA. This problem has been determined to be due to either: 1) Non-MBF approved tapes being used. (OR) 2) Marginal EOT/BOT adjustment. The combination of both will make the replacement 4403 1/4-inch tape unit appear DOA. The positioning of the EOT/BOT mirror in the tape cartridge, which is used in EOT/BOT sensing, varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, non-MBF approved tapes may fall out of the adjustment used for EOT/BOT settings. The EOT/BOT setting is now being adjusted to its OPTIMUM setting. Only APPROVED MBF tapes should be used to insure optimum 4403 1/4-inch MTC tape unit to tape cartridge compatibility. Adjustment of the EOT/BOT sensor can be done in the field. The procedure is in FIB 11. ORIGINATOR: Don Luque MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB012 Pg001 FIB 00013 MAI COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL 06/17/92 *** Head Cleaning *** Alcohol should not be used to clean the read/write heads. 1,1,1 Trichlorethane (generic) or a product labled specifically as "Tape Head Cleaner" from a reputable firm such as Texwipe should be used for head cleaning. The use of alcohol may increase read/write failures. NOTE: This is a change to various manuals which recommend the use of isopropyl alcohol for head cleaning. ORIGINATOR: Norm Jones MAGNETIC TAPE I/O-CIPHER-540,CTS--------------------FIB013 Pg001