Basic Troubleshooting of TSM is easy. Use something similar to the 'TSM Tracer batch file' I have on this site. It will create a text file each day which details what state tapes are in. This can do wonders when trying to find out why things are not in the state you expect. If the TSM server is crashing at random times, query the log and look at the error before it hangs. If the TSM server crashes at a specific point, start dsmserv.exe > C:\help.txt and then perform the action. If the resulting error log does not help you out, browse over to adsm.org and post your actions+log file.

Cheers
Ryan Partington