Patent ID: 9202516
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: performing a tape operation at a tape location using a first tape head, the tape operation selected from a group consisting of writing and reading; detecting an occurrence of a tape operation failure; changing a second operational mode of a second tape head to match a first operational mode of the first tape head, wherein the first operational mode is selected from a group consisting of a write mode and a read mode in accordance with the tape operation; performing a second tape operation at the tape location using the second tape head in the first operational mode; determining if the tape operation failure is observed in response to performing the second tape operation; when the tape operation failure is observed in response to performing the second tape operation, determining that the tape operation failure is due to a faulty tape medium and posting a media failure error code representative of a media failure; and when the tape operation failure is not observed in response to performing the second tape operation, determining that the tape operation failure is due to a faulty tape head and posting a media failure error code representative of a head failure.