Tape fatal error. The media is write protected. Tape write error

[acatic]

I have many L3/L4 tapes previously used under BackupExec. I cannot seem to write to them. Whenever I try, I get the error:

'Tape fatal error. The media is write protected. Tape write error'

The media is physically NOT write-protected. Veeam also appears to be able to fully erase them (~1.5 hours, 'Success'), but that does not make them writable.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

[Dima P.]

Hello acatic,

Any chance this is a WORM media? Can you catalog this tape after it was erased and let us know the result? Additionally please let us know what type of tape job was used (file to tape job or backup to tape job). Thanks!

[acatic]

Hello, Dima!
Full erase: complete. Catalog: complete. WORM: false.
I'm attempting files-to-tape.

[Dima P.]

Can you check the block size value under the tape drive you are using (should be under properties)? Also need to know Veeam B&R version you are running. Thanks!

[acatic]

Belated follow-up.
Veeam 9.5 U4.
I have an older IBM tower with two LTO4 drives. I eventually realized that it only happens with the top drive.
Both are 'IBM HH LTO Gen 4', block size '262144'.

[Dima P.]

acatic,

Could be a hardware issue. If possible run vendor diagnostic tools, perform tape drive cleaning and if that does not help - open support case with our team. Cheers!