METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING A MASS DATA STORAGE DEVICE, SUCH AS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING A CARTRIDGE TAPE DRIVE

1 . A method associated with a removable media data storage device, the method comprising:

physically associating non-volatile memory with the removable media storage device;

storing information in the non-volatile memory regarding characteristics of the removable media storage device; and

providing the non-volatile memory and the removable media storage device for service, wherein the information stored in the non-volatile memory is available for use by a servicing technician.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing information associated with a state of the removable media storage device before servicing of the removable media storage device.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing information associated with historical information regarding operation of the removable media storage device.

4 . Them method of claim 3 wherein said historical information is selected from the group consisting of: a fan speed, a temperature, a number of read and write errors, and a use time of the removable media storage device.

5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing information associated with status conditions of a storage library from which the removable media storage device was previously associated.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein said physically associating comprises:

mounting said non-volatile memory and said removable media storage device on a tray.

7 . A removable media data storage troubleshooting system comprising:

a removable media storage device,

a non-volatile memory unit physically associated with but separate from the removable media storage device, said non-volatile memory unit external to a housing associated with the removable media storage device;

a log information stored in the non-volatile memory unit, wherein the log information relates to operation or performance of the removable media storage device for troubleshooting the removable media storage device.

8 . The removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 7 wherein said log information further comprising:

at least a first data structure storing a state of the removable media storage device.

9 . The removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 7 wherein said log information further comprising:

at least a second data structure storing cumulative information regarding operation and performance of the removable media storage device.

10 . Them removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 9 wherein said cumulative information is selected from the group consisting of: a fan speed, a temperature, a number of read and write errors, and a use time of the removable media storage device.

11 . The removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 7 wherein said log information further comprising:

at least a third data structure storing commands associated with said removable media storage device.

12 . Them removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 11 wherein said commands are selected from the group consisting of: load, unload, read tape motion status and read cartridge information.

13 . The removable media data storage troubleshooting system of claim 7 further comprising:

a sled for mounting said non-volatile memory and said removable media storage device thereon.

14 . A method associated with a removable media data storage device, the method comprising:

physically associating non-volatile memory with the removable media storage device;

storing information in the non-volatile memory regarding characteristics of the removable media storage device; and

providing the non-volatile memory and the removable media storage device for service, wherein the information stored in the non-volatile memory is available for use by a servicing technician, and

wherein the stored information includes:

at least a first data structure associated with a state of the removable media storage device before servicing of the removable media storage device, and

at least a second data structure associated with historical information regarding operation of the removable media storage device.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the stored information includes a data structure representing information regarding status conditions of a storage library from which the removable media storage device was previously associated.

16 . Them method of claim 14 wherein said historical information is selected from the group consisting of: a fan speed, a temperature, a number of read and write errors, and a use time of the removable media storage device.

17 . The method of claim 14 further comprising:

storing information associated with status conditions of a storage library from which the removable media storage device was previously associated.

18 . The method of claim 14 wherein said physically associating comprises:

mounting said non-volatile memory and said removable media storage device on a tray.

19 . The method of claim 14 further comprising:

storing in the non-volatile memory unit at least a third data structure associated with commands associated with said removable media storage device.

20 . Them method of claim 19 wherein said commands are selected from the group consisting of: load, unload, read tape motion status and read cartridge information.