For the first appearance of this message mount a volume on device dev, ready the device, and enter REPLY xx,‘M’. The volume mounted should be a scratch volume, unless the programmer supplied a volume to be used. If this message is repeated immediately after message IEC702I, the system attempted to write a label on the volume but the label could not be verified. Inspect the tape for irregularities:

• If irregularities appear, remove the bad section of tape or, if the volume was a scratch volume, substitute another volume. Then, mount the correct or substituted volume, ready the device, and enter REPLY xx,‘M’.
• If the irregularities are uncorrectable and the volume was supplied by the programmer, enter REPLY xx,‘S’.
• If no irregularities are found, mount the tape volume again, ready the device, and enter REPLY xx,‘M’.
• If only this message is repeated, enter REPLY xx,‘S’. Report the message sequence to the programmer, asking him to check the program for improper recording characteristics. If the program is not at fault, a IBM service representative should be called to check the tape drive.

If this message is repeated immediately after message IEC703I a label cannot be written on the volume because the volume is file protected:

• If the volume is to be labeled, insert a file protection ring in the volume, mount the volume, ready the device, and enter REPLY xx,‘M’.
• If the volume is not to be labeled, demount the volume, mount a new scratch volume with a file protection ring, ready the device, and enter REPLY xx,‘M’.
• If only this message is repeated, enter REPLY xx,‘S’. Report the message sequence to the programmer.