MainframeKit

S613

Tape positioning or label error at OPEN (IEC147I)SYSTEM ABEND

OPEN could not position a tape to the data set it was asked for. Return code 04 points to an I/O error on the drive or path.

MOST LIKELY

A hardware or path error on the tape drive, shown by IOS000I before IEC147I.

FIRST CHECK

Read the IEC147I return code and look for IOS000I messages for the same device just before it.

TRY IT ▸

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What it means

Abend 613 comes with message IEC147I, which gives a return code, the DD name, the device, the volume and the data set. It is raised while a tape data set is being opened and the tape is positioned to the requested file.

In the cases IBM documents for return code 04, an IOS000I message showing an I/O error on the device came just before IEC147I. One case was tape missing-interrupt (MIH) time limits set back to a short default; another was a VM host that did not support a positioning command the guest system issued when reading file 2 or later.

Typical causes

  • A hardware or path error on the tape drive, shown by IOS000I before IEC147I.
  • A drive, controller or virtual environment that does not support a positioning command the system issues.
  • Missing-interrupt time limits for tape set too short, so slow positioning is treated as a failure.
  • A damaged tape that cannot be positioned to the later files on it.

How to fix it

  1. Read the IEC147I return code and look for IOS000I messages for the same device just before it.
  2. Rerun on a different drive to see if the problem follows the drive or the tape.
  3. Ask the system programmer to check the active tape MIH values with DISPLAY IOS,MIH.
  4. If it happens only for file sequence 2 or later, report the device and environment to the system programmer.
  5. Search IBM support for the return code with your device type.

Example

Illustrative only; names and values are invented.

IEF450I TAPEJOB3 STEP010 - ABEND=S613 U0000 REASON=00000004