Qualstar 34XX Series User manual

The Tape Experts
34XX
User’s Guide
500300 Rev. U

500300 Rev. U i
Notice
Information contained in this document is copyrighted by Qualstar
Corporation. It is intended for use by Qualstar's customers and prospective
customers to evaluate, integrate, operate and maintain Qualstar products.
Customers and prospective customers may reproduce this document as
needed for these uses. Reproduction in whole or in part for any other use or
by any other party is prohibited without prior written permission from
Qualstar Corporation.
Every effort has been made to keep the information contained in this
document current and accurate as of the date of publication or revision.
However, no guarantee is given or implied that the document is error-free
or that it is accurate with regard to any specification. Qualstar reserves the
right to modify product designs and specifications without notice.
Qualstar® is a registered trademark of Qualstar Corporation.
Cipher® is a registered trademark of Overland Data.
Pertec® is a registered trademark of DDC Pertec.
IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines,
Incorporated.
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
6709 Independence Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
FAX: [phone]
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.qualstar.com

ii 500300 Rev. U
CAUTION
References contained in this manual to DIP switch settings, jumper locations,
primary voltages and other options are for reference only. Access to the interior
of this equipment is restricted to dealers and qualified service technicians, and
only in accordance with published service manuals and bulletins.
WARNING
PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT IF YOU DO NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH THE
HANDLING, OPERATING, OR SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS FOUND IN A
WARNING PARAGRAPH.
ACHTUNG
ES KÖNNEN PERSONENVERLETZUNGEN AUFTRETEN, WENN SIE DIE
UMGANGS-, BEDIENUNGS- ODER WARTUNGSANWEISUNGEN NICHT
VOLLSTÄNDIG BEFOLGEN, DIE IM ACHTUNGENPARAGRAPHEN BESCHRIEBEN
SIND.
DANGER
EXTREME HAZARD IF YOU DO NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH THE HANDLING,
OPERATING, OR SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS FOUND IN A DANGER PARAGRAPH.
GEFAHR
SIE SIND EXTREMER GEFAHR AUSGESETZT, WENN SIE DIE UMGANGS-,
BEDIENUNGS- ODER WARTUNGSANWEISUNGEN NICHT VOLLSTÄNDIG
BEFOLGEN, DIE IM GEFAHRENPARAGRAPHEN BESCHRIEBEN SIND.
NOTE
SPECIAL ATTENTION to explanatory statements found in a NOTE paragraph will help you avoid
mistakes and/or save time.

500300 Rev. U iii
Federal Communications Commission Requirements
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed
to provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a
commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may
cause unacceptable interference to radio and TV reception, in which case the user at
his own expense will be required to take whatever steps are necessary to correct the
interference.
Patent Notice
The following patents apply to all models of the 3400 Series tape transport:
Pat. No. 4,893,312; Pat. No. 5,014,141
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daß Qualstar Bandgeräte Modelle 3402S, 3402SD, 3404S,
und 3404SD in Übereinstimmung mit den Bestimmungen der Vfg.-1046/1984 funk-
entstört sind.
Der Deutschen Bundespost wurde das Inverkehrbringen dieses Gerätes angezeigt
und die Berechtigung zur Überprüfung der obengenannten Modelle auf Einhaltung
der Bestimmungen eingeräumt.
English Translation:
This certifies that the Qualstar model 3402S, 3402SD, 3404S and 3404SD tape
drives are RFI-suppressed in accordance with German Postal Regulation 1046/1984.
The marketing and sale of this equipment was reported to the German Postal
Service, along with the authorization to verify the above-mentioned models for
compliance to the regulation.

iv 500300 Rev. U
Important — Read This Before Installation
Qualstar Corporation has made every effort to provide quality merchandise.
If the merchandise arrives damaged or has been mishandled, please notify
the delivery company immediately. If the merchandise is defective in any
other way, please follow these instructions.
If this merchandise was purchased from a dealer or other reseller, contact
that dealer or reseller for return instructions.
If this merchandise was purchased directly from Qualstar, please do the
following:
•Treat the merchandise carefully to assure its suitability for return.
•Retain all shipping and packing materials. Returned merchandise must be
shipped to Qualstar in the original packing material and carton. If the original
packing material or carton has been damaged, a new set may be requested.
•Call Qualstar Customer Service at [phone] to request a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Returned merchandise will not be
accepted without this number.
•Clearly identify the outside of the carton and the packing list with the RMA
number.
•Return the merchandise, including cables, manuals, software and all related
documents to the Qualstar factory.

500300 Rev. U v
Table of Contents
1. Tape Drive Installation................................................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Model identification ..................................................................................................1-1
1.3 Operating Environment............................................................................................1-1
1.4 Unpacking the Tape Drive .......................................................................................1-2
1.5 Tools required for Installation..................................................................................1-3
1.6 Power Requirements.................................................................................................1-3
1.6.1 Power Connections.............................................................................................1-4
1.7 SCSI-2 Interface........................................................................................................1-4
1.7.1 SCSI Bus Description.........................................................................................1-6
1.7.2 SCSI Cables and Connectors .............................................................................1-8
1.7.3 SCSI Bus Termination.......................................................................................1-8
1.7.4 Termination Power ..........................................................................................1-10
1.7.5 Industry Standard Interface (non-SCSI).........................................................1-11
1.8 Rack Mount Installation.........................................................................................1-12
2. Controls and Indicators................................................................................................ 2-1
2.1 Front Control Panels ................................................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Power Switch .....................................................................................................2-1
2.1.2 Push-button Switches ........................................................................................2-1
2.2 Front Panel Indicators..............................................................................................2-2
2.3 Liquid Crystal Display..............................................................................................2-3
2.3.1 Display Line One ...............................................................................................2-4
2.3.2 Display Line Two ...............................................................................................2-5
3. Operating Instructions ................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1 Applying Power.........................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Power-Up Self Diagnostic Tests ...............................................................................3-2
3.3 Loading a Tape .........................................................................................................3-3
3.3.1 Load Sequence ...................................................................................................3-5
3.3.2 Aborting a Load Sequence .................................................................................3-6
3.3.3 Load Sequence Exception Conditions................................................................3-6
3.4 Rewinding and Unloading the Tape.........................................................................3-6
3.4.1 Tape Not at BOT................................................................................................3-6
3.4.2 Tape at BOT.......................................................................................................3-7
3.4.3 Manually Unlocking the Supply Hub................................................................3-7
3.5 Changing Densities...................................................................................................3-7
3.6 Automatic Density Selection Feature (ADS)............................................................3-8
3.6.1 Density Definitions ............................................................................................3-8

vi 500300 Rev. U
3.6.2 Density Modes..................................................................................................3-10
3.7 Abnormal Conditions ..............................................................................................3-12
3.7.1 The Tape Will Not Load...................................................................................3-12
3.7.2 An Out-Of -Tape-Stop Occurs..........................................................................3-12
3.7.3 The Tape Comes Off the Supply Reel ..............................................................3-12
3.7.4 A Power Failure Occurs...................................................................................3-13
3.7.5 A Tape Runaway Condition Occurs.................................................................3-13
3.8 Aborting Online Operations from the Front Panel ................................................3-14
4. Menu Operations............................................................................................................ 4-1
4.1 Menu System Description.........................................................................................4-1
4.1.1 Menu Hierarchy.................................................................................................4-1
4.1.2 Accessing the Menu Mode .................................................................................4-2
4.1.3 Accessing the Demonstration Function.............................................................4-2
4.2 Reset Head Clean Function ......................................................................................4-2
4.3 Drive Configuration Menu .......................................................................................4-3
4.3.1 Using the Drive Configuration menu ................................................................4-3
4.3.2 Drive Configuration Menu Parameters.............................................................4-5
4.4 Manual Threading Function ..................................................................................4-12
4.5 Maintenance Menu.................................................................................................4-12
4.5.1 Using the Maintenance Menu .........................................................................4-14
4.5.2 Default Configuration Function ......................................................................4-14
4.5.3 Default SCSI Configuration Function .............................................................4-14
4.5.4 SCSI Enable Function......................................................................................4-14
4.5.5 Display Firmware Sub-Menu ..........................................................................4-15
4.5.6 Prepare Media Sub-Menu................................................................................4-15
4.5.7 Demonstration Function..................................................................................4-17
4.5.8 Diagnostics Sub-Menu .....................................................................................4-17
4.5.9 Service Sub-Menu ............................................................................................4-22
5. SCSI Configuration........................................................................................................ 5-1
5.1 SCSI Configuration Menu ........................................................................................5-1
5.1.1 SCSI Device ID (Default = 5).............................................................................5-2
5.1.2 SCSI LUN (Default = 0).....................................................................................5-2
5.1.3 SCSI Parity (Default = Off)................................................................................5-2
5.1.4 SCSI Sync (Default = On) ..................................................................................5-2
5.1.5 Space (Default = Normal) ..................................................................................5-2
5.1.6 Unload (Default = Normal) ................................................................................5-3
5.1.7 Write CER (Default = Error) .............................................................................5-3
5.1.8 Write EOT (Default = Write) .............................................................................5-4
5.1.9 Write HER (Default = Report) ...........................................................................5-4
5.1.10 Write Retrys (Default = 13) ...............................................................................5-5

500300 Rev. U vii
5.1.11 800 Mask WP .....................................................................................................5-5
5.1.12 Block Length (Default = 2).................................................................................5-5
5.1.13 Buffer (Default = Normal)..................................................................................5-6
5.1.14 Busy (Default = Not Ready)...............................................................................5-6
5.1.15 Discon (Default = YES) ......................................................................................5-6
5.1.16 Early EOT (Default = Normal) ..........................................................................5-6
5.1.17 EOM On Read (Default = No)............................................................................5-7
5.1.18 INQUIRY Data File ...........................................................................................5-7
5.1.19 Lng Blk (Default = Stop)..................................................................................5-10
5.1.20 Model (No default) ...........................................................................................5-10
5.1.21 NRZI (Default = No LRC/CRC)........................................................................5-11
5.1.22 Read Bad Data (Default = Yes)........................................................................5-11
5.1.23 Read EOT Stop (Default = No).........................................................................5-11
5.1.24 Read Ahead (Default = 2 FMK) .......................................................................5-11
5.1.25 Read CER (Default = Ignore)...........................................................................5-12
5.1.26 Read HER (Default = Report) ..........................................................................5-12
5.1.27 Read Retrys......................................................................................................5-12
5.1.28 Residue (Default = Normal) .............................................................................5-13
5.1.29 Rewrite CER (Default = Yes) ...........................................................................5-13
5.2 Special Drive Configuration Menu Requirements for SCSI Drives.......................5-14
5.2.1 LOL Enable......................................................................................................5-14
5.2.2 Command Disp.................................................................................................5-14
5.2.3 HER on Blank ..................................................................................................5-14
5.2.4 Drive Address...................................................................................................5-14
5.2.5 FEN ..................................................................................................................5-14
5.2.6 Density CMD....................................................................................................5-14
5.2.7 WRT Parity ......................................................................................................5-15
5.3 SCSI Error Messages and Codes ............................................................................5-15
6. Preventative Maintenance ........................................................................................... 6-1
6.1 Purpose .....................................................................................................................6-1
6.2 Frequency .................................................................................................................6-1
6.3 Tape Path Cleaning Procedure.................................................................................6-2
6.4 Using 1-mil Tape.......................................................................................................6-4
6.5 Data Specifications ...................................................................................................6-5
6.5.1 Data Formats and Tape Speeds.........................................................................6-5
6.5.2 Data Transfer Rate ............................................................................................6-5
6.5.3 Media Requirements..........................................................................................6-6
6.6 Data Capacity ...........................................................................................................6-6
6.6.1 Data Capacity Tables.........................................................................................6-7
7. Errors and Operational Failures ................................................................................ 7-1

viii 500300 Rev. U
7.1 General......................................................................................................................7-1
7.2 Error Messages .........................................................................................................7-1
7.2.1 Non-Terminal Errors .........................................................................................7-1
7.2.2 Terminal Errors .................................................................................................7-1
7.2.3 Miscellaneous Messages ....................................................................................7-3
7.2.4 SCSI Error Messages .........................................................................................7-3
8. AC Power Configuration .............................................................................................. 8-1
8.1 Tools Required to Change AC Power Configuration ................................................8-2
8.2 Configuring the Drive for Available Power..............................................................8-2

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-1
1. Tape Drive Installation
1.1 Introduction
This guide provides installation instructions and techniques for operating the
Qualstar Model 34XX Series tape drive.
Figure 1-1The Qualstar 34XX Series Tape Drive
1.2 Model identification
Figure 1-2identifies the various 34XX models. This User's Guide applies to all
models; the installation and operation of the different models is basically the same.
Differences among models are noted where required; from an operator's point of
view, all models function similarly.
1.3 Operating Environment
The tape drive is designed to operate in an environment between 40° F to 104° F
(4.4° C to 40° C), 20% to 85% relative humidity, and at altitudes from 0 to +8000
feet. Moisture must not be allowed to condense inside the drive or in the tape path
area. Note that the humidity and temperature specifications of the drive exceed that
of most media.

1-2 Tape Drive Installation 500300 Rev. U
3 4 X X X X – X X
Basic Series
See Table Below
Interface Options
Blank = Industry Standard Interface
S = SCSI-2 Single-Ended
SD = SCSI-2 Differential (HVD)
Special Features
Configuration Supported Densities
Rack Mount Desktop 800
125 IPS 1600 125 IPS 3200 62.5
IPS
6250
125 IPS 6250 62.5
IPS
3402 3404 X X
3410 3412 X X X X
3413 3414 X X
3416 3418 X X X X X
Figure 1-2Model Number Identification
CAUTION
To insure adequate airflow through the drive, the fan at the rear of the drive
must not be blocked.
1.4 Unpacking the Tape Drive
CAUTION
The tape drive weighs about 60 pounds and must be lifted out of the box by two
persons. Use caution in lifting.
The tape drive is shipped in a specially designed double-walled carton with energy-
absorbing end caps and contains the following items:
•Tape Drive
•Power Cord
•User’s Guide (this document)
Remove the drive together with its end-caps from the carton and place it on a table.
Then remove the end-caps and the polyethylene bag. Remove all other materials

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-3
from the carton and store the end-caps and bag in the carton. Store the carton for
possible future transportation.
1.5 Tools required for Installation
A #2 Phillips screwdriver may be required to install the drive.
1.6 Power Requirements
The tape drive requires 100, 120, 220, or 240 volts AC, +10%/-15%, at 48 to 62 Hertz
primary power. The “worst case” power consumption is 225 watts. See chapter 8to
change the selected voltage.
Figure 1-3Location of Voltage Label
WARNING
IF THE LINE VOLTAGE DIFFERS FROM THAT SPECIFIED ON THE VOLTAGE
LABEL, DO NOT APPLY POWER. THE POWER TRANSFORMER SELECTOR
SWITCHES AND FUSE MUST FIRST BE CHANGED BY A QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSON TO MATCH THE LINE VOLTAGE. REFER TO CHAPTER 8.
ACHTUNG
WENN DIE LEITUNGSSPANNUNG SICH VON DER AUF DEM
SPANNUNGSAUFKLEBER ANGEGEBENEN SPANNUNG UNTERSCHEIDET, KEINE
SPANNUNG ANLEGEN. DIE LEISTUNGSTRANSFORMATOR-WAHLSCHALTER
UND SICHERUNG MÜSSEN ZUERST VON EINEM WARTUNGSFACHMANN
AUSGEWECHSELT WERDEN, DAMIT SIE ZUR LEITUNGSSPANNUNG PASSEN.
SIEHE KAPITEL 8.

1-4 Tape Drive Installation 500300 Rev. U
1.6.1 Power Connections
The power connection to the drive is by means of a detachable power cord that
complies with the following specifications. There should be a minimum of 1.7-inches
clearance from the rear of the drive for the power connector.
•100/120 volt applications - U.L. listed and CSA certified three conductor,
18 AWG, SVT vinyl jacketed cord. One end is terminated with an IEC 320, C13
style connector (CEE-22 standard sheet VI). The other end is terminated with
plug type NEMA 5-15P.
•220/240 volt applications - U.L. listed and CSA certified three conductor,
18 AWG, SVT vinyl jacketed cord. One end is terminated with an IEC 320, C13
style connector (CEE-22 standard sheet VI). The other end is terminated with
the standard European plug type CEE 7/VII.
The following statement is included for compliance with German safety regulations:
Die Verbindung zür Steckdose sollte möglich kurz sein, und die Steckdose sollte frei
zugänglich bleiben.
(English translation: The connection to the power receptacle should be as short as
possible, and the receptacle should be readily accessible.)
1.7 SCSI-2 Interface
If your tape drive model number contains an “S” or “SD”, you have a SCSI (Small
Computer Systems Interface) tape drive and should read this section for important
information regarding the installation of the interface. If your tape drive has an
Industry Standard Interface (Pertec), you may skip this section. There are two types
of SCSI interfaces available:
•Single-Ended version – identified by an “S” suffix on the model number
•Differential version – identified by an “SD” suffix on the model number
The single-ended SCSI-2 interface is provided by the 500567 board (see Figure 1-4)
which features a one-megabyte intelligent data buffer that increases the data
throughput by helping to keep the tape streaming. The buffer also allows data to
flow to and from the host interface at burst rates over and above the basic data
transfer rate (density times tape speed).
The differential SCSI-2 interface is obtained by adding a 500467 Differential
Adapter board (see Figure 1-5) to the 500567 board. The SCSI connectors remain the
same for both styles of interface.
A description of SCSI-2 is beyond the scope of this guide; however, an explanation of
the physical configuration of the SCSI bus is provided to help you understand the
principles of drive installation, bus termination, and address (device ID) selection.

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-5
TAPE DRIVE INTERFACE CONNECTORS
SCSI CONNECTOR
SCSI TERMINATORS
J71
J75
U1
U14
U24
RESET
U25
U21
J73
J74
J76
RN4
CPU
FUSE
F1
1A CP1 250V VTERM
SCSI TERMINATION POWER
EPROM
RN3
SCSI
CTLR
POWER
CONNECTOR PCBA 500567-
PCB500566-01-3 REV B
WREX
CONNECTOR
J72
Figure 1-4SCSI Single-Ended PCBA Layout – 500567 PCBA
CAUTION
The single-ended and differential interfaces are electrically different. A device
with a differential SCSI interface will not operate if connected to a single-ended
SCSI bus. Before connecting any SCSI device to the SCSI bus, insure that the
interface types are the same.

1-6 Tape Drive Installation 500300 Rev. U
PCBA 5000467-
J85
J86
RN1
RN2
RN3
Figure 1-5SCSI Differential Adapter PCBA
1.7.1 SCSI Bus Description
A SCSI system consists of two or more devices connected together by a multi-line
cable, commonly referred to as the SCSI bus.
T T
SCSI Devices (locations on cable are
independent of SCSI ID assignments)
An external terminator may
be installed here in place of
the internal terminator.
Multiple SCSI Cables
Figure 1-6SCSI Cable Configurations
SCSI devices are usually some type of computer peripheral, such as a printer, a tape
or disk drive, and also a host computer. In the majority of systems, at least one of
the devices is the host itself, with the other devices are peripherals.
The following rules apply to the SCSI bus and its attached devices:
•Up to eight SCSI devices may be connected to one SCSI bus;

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-7
•The bus must have at least two devices connected to it;
•The device addresses (SCSI ID) range from 0 through 7;
•A device's priority on the bus is determined by its address, with SCSI ID 7 being
the highest priority;
•Each device must have its own, unique SCSI ID;
•The physical location of a device on the bus has nothing to do with the priority
or addressing of that device;
•The total length of the cable, or series of cables, must not exceed six meters
(single-ended configuration) or 25 meters (differential configuration) as
measured from one end to the other.
In most systems, the host computer itself is one of the SCSI devices. This is usually
done using a host adapter, a board that resides within the host and that has one
SCSI connector to the outside world. Device ID 7 is normally reserved for the host
adapter to insure that the host has the highest priority among the other SCSI
devices. Disk drives containing system, application, and data files normally have the
next priority and are assigned a device ID of 5 or 6, while tape drives, printers, and
other low priority devices have correspondingly lower ID numbers.

1-8 Tape Drive Installation 500300 Rev. U
1.7.2 SCSI Cables and Connectors
Two identical drive connectors, wired in parallel at the rear of the drive, provide a
connection point to the SCSI bus. Because both drive connectors are wired in
parallel, you may use either one as an input or output, or for an external SCSI bus
terminator. The following drive connectors are supported:
•SCSI Alternative 1 - This is a 50-pin male rectangular, polarized connector,
T&B P/N 622-50FM or equivalent. This connector is flush-mounted against the
inside of the rear panel and has no locking provisions. Plug the cable connector
into either drive connector;
•SCSI Alternative 2 - This is a 50-pin female “Type D” polarized connector,
AMP P/N 1-499977-0 or equivalent. It can be identified by its two rows of pin
receptacles and by the built-in locking tabs at each end.
Plug the cable connector into either drive connector and secure it with the two
locking tabs as shown in Figure 1-7.
Figure 1-7SCSI Cable Configurations
•Sun Systems Connector - This is a 50-pin female “Type D” polarized
connector, AMP P/N 746789-1 or equivalent. It can be identified by its three
rows of pin receptacles and by the screw-type locks at each end.
Plug the cable connector into either drive connector and secure it with the two
locking screws.
1.7.3 SCSI Bus Termination
The SCSI terminators can be located either internally on the SCSI PCBA, or
externally using a customer-supplied terminator plug. Power for either configuration
is supplied by a dedicated termination power line on the SCSI bus; this line may be
powered by the tape drive, as explained in Section 1.7.4, by another device (or
devices) on the SCSI bus, or by both.

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-9
NOTE
While any number of devices may supply termination power, only two devices, including the
host adapter, may be terminated on a SCSI bus. If the tape drive is not physically located at the
end of the SCSI bus, you must remove all internal and external terminators from that drive.
1.7.3.1 Internal Terminators
Internal passive termination is supplied by terminators that are installed in sockets
at locations RN3 and RN4 on the single-ended SCSI board, or at locations RN1, RN2,
RN3 on the optional Differential Adapter. The terminator locations are shown in
Figure 1-4and Figure 1-5. SCSI tape drives are shipped with the internal SCSI
terminators installed.
If the drive is connected to one physical end of the SCSI bus and if internal
termination is desired, terminators RN3 and RN4 (RN1, RN2, and RN3 if using the
differential version) must be installed. The terminators must be removed from all
other devices on the SCSI bus except the device that is physically connected to the
other end of the bus.
1.7.3.2 External Terminators
You may install an external terminator in the unused SCSI connector at the rear of
the drive as shown in Figure 1-8. If you do, you must remove the internal
terminators at locations RN3 and RN4 (RN1, RN2, and RN3 if using the differential
version). The terminator locations are shown in Figure 1-4and Figure 1-5. In no
event should both internal and external terminators be installed.
1.7.3.3 Active Termination
If you are connecting your tape drive to the end of a SCSI cable that has an active
type of terminator installed at the other end, you will need to remove the internal
terminators and install an active terminator at the unused SCSI port on the tape
drive. You may purchase active terminators from Qualstar.
Figure 1-8Connecting the SCSI Cable to the Tape Drive (SCSI Alternative 2 shown)

1-10 Tape Drive Installation 500300 Rev. U
1.7.4 Termination Power
The SCSI PCBA is capable of supplying +5 volts termination voltage to the SCSI
bus. This +5 volts is fed to the SCSI bus TERMPWR line through a circuit protector,
a blocking diode and the jumper VTERM as shown in Figure 1-9. TERMPWR is
connected to both the internal and external terminators in the drive. When SCSI
operation is enabled, the termination power is periodically monitored and if missing,
the front panel will display NO SCSI TERM-V.
QUALSTAR
TAPE DRIVE ANOTHER
SCSI DEVICE
5 5
Blocking Diode
Circuit Protector
(current limiter)
W1 or VTERM Jumper
TERMPWR on SCSI Bus
(No Blocking Diode)
Figure 1-9Diagram of SCSI Termination Power
1.7.4.1 Circuit Protector
A solid state circuit protector and a blocking diode protect the tape drive from
excessive current draw due to an overload on the SCSI bus TERMPWR line. The
circuit protector is connected in series with VTERM between the board’s termination
voltage and the termination voltage line on the SCSI bus. If the current through the
circuit protector is excessive, the protector will open and remain open until the
overload condition is removed. On earlier units, the circuit protector consisted of a
one-ampere fuse F4 (Qualstar P/N 626-0014-3).
1.7.4.2 VTERM Jumper
Your tape drive is shipped from the factory with the VTERM jumper installed, and
Qualstar recommends that you do not remove it. If you remove VTERM, termination
power (TERMPWR in Figure 1-9) must be available from another device on the SCSI
bus.
A problem can arise if another SCSI device, which does not have a blocking diode, is
connected to the SCSI bus (see Figure 1-9). When the power to that device is
switched off, if VTERM is installed, the device's +5 volt supply draws current from
the Qualstar drive via the SCSI bus TERMPWR line. If the current draw becomes
excessive, the circuit protector on the Qualstar SCSI PCBA opens, removing the
termination voltage from the SCSI bus. If this happens with your system: either

500300 Rev. U Tape Drive Installation 1-11
remove VTERM, or always turn the tape drive off before turning the system off, and
always turn the tape drive on after applying power to the system. Be sure that the
tape drive is never turned on when the system is off.
1.7.5 Industry Standard Interface (non-SCSI)
The computer interface will consist of either two cables with a 50-pin card edge
connector on each, or a single cable branching out into two 50-pin card edge
connectors. The card edge connectors must be connected to J1 and J2 at the rear of
the tape drive (sometimes referred to as J101 and J102 respectively). Connector
locations are shown in Figure 1-10.
1. There are three removable cable entry covers attached to the rear chassis panel
with two Phillips screws each.
a. When using a round interface cable, remove all cable entry covers, pass the
cable through the upper opening and attach the connectors to the PCBA. Then
replace all three cable-entry covers, routing the cable through the slot in the
upper cover.
b. When using flat ribbon cables, remove and store the two lower cable entry
covers. The upper cable entry cover remains in place.
2. Connect the cables to J1 and J2 as shown on the decals.
NOTE
Be sure to turn the tape drive off before attaching the interface cables.
3. Dress the cables, replace the cable entry covers, and secure them with the
Phillips screws.
Upper Cable Entry Cover
J2 Pin 1 J1 Pin 1
Line Fuse
Power
Connector
(Lower cable entry covers not shown)
Figure 1-10 Industry Standard Interface Connector Placement