Removing a data cartridge from a drive in the library

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In a rare situation, you might need to remove a cartridge directly from a drive in the TS4500 tape library without transferring it to an I/O station.

About this task

Note: If you encounter a stuck tape cartridge (that is, a cartridge that will not unload after it receives an Unload command from the host), follow this procedure. If after you complete these steps the cartridge still does not unload, contact your IBM® service representative.

Procedure

Pause the library by pressing the pause button on the display panel on any frame that has an I/O station.
This action causes the library to move the cartridge accessor to its home location and pause operations for 60 seconds or as long as a frame door is open. The pause light next to the pause button stops flashing and illuminates solid to indicate that the library is paused. The health status pod on the System page of the management GUI also shows when the library is paused.
Within 60 seconds, unlock and open the front door of the frame that contains the drive with the cartridge that is to be removed.
Remove the cartridge from the drive by following the correct steps for the type of drive:
- To remove a cartridge from an LTO tape drive, perform the following steps:
  1. Press and release the unload button ( 1 in Figure 1).
  2. Wait for the cartridge to rewind and eject.
    Note: A typical tape cartridge rewind and eject time can take as long as 5 minutes, although some conditions can extend this time to as long as 1 hour.
  3. Remove the cartridge from the drive.
  Figure 1. Removing a cartridge from an LTO tape drive
- To remove a cartridge from a 3592 tape drive, perform the following steps:
  1. Ensure that the green power indicator light is on (see 1 in Figure 2).
  2. Press and release the unload button (see 2 in Figure 2).
  3. Wait for the cartridge to rewind and eject.
    Note: A typical tape cartridge rewind and eject time can take as long as 5 minutes, although some conditions can extend this time to as long as 1 hour.
  4. Remove the cartridge from the drive.
  Figure 2. Removing a cartridge from a 3592 tape drive
Gently close and lock the front door.
After approximately 15 seconds, the TS4500 tape library automatically inventories the frame of the door that you opened and closed. During the inventory, the task pod on the System page of the management GUI shows that an inventory is in progress.