Maintaining the Tape Library › Problem Analysis › Tape Failures › Scratch Tapes

Scratch Tapes

If the tape does not contain data which must be recovered and is a scratch tape, typically tapes cited as BAD on TMS Report 5 - Scratch and Clean Listing, perform the following steps:

1. Ensure that the tape is still in scratch status using the CA 1 online inquiry and update facilities (CA 1 ISPF or TIQ) or TMSBINQ.
2. Pull the volume from the library.
3. Subject the volume to your full certification process.
4. Depending on your guidelines, you can replace the old volume.
5. If the tape fails certification or you want to replace the physical volume, initialize a new volume and place it in the place of the old volume. Use NEWTAPE in TMSTPNIT.
6. If the tape passes certification and you want to retain the same physical volume, initialize the tape to its original volser using the OLDTAPE verb in TMSTPNIT.
7. Replace the tape in its slot in the library or scratch pool.