Bull ESCALA 7214, Service Manual

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Media Drive Environment and Use
IBM’s goal is to provide you with a product that you can configure and use
reliably. Removable media drives require specific maintenance and environmental
conditions to operate well over time. Using high quality, data grade media,
handling and storing this media properly, operating the removable media drive in
a clean environment and keeping the removable media drive properly cleaned can
help you to avoid problems with your IBM product.
Media Grades
IBM sells media designed to be used for storage. IBM supports the media that we
sell. If IBM service personnel analysis indicates a problem with non-IBM media it
may be necessary for the customer to replace the media.
Media Handling and Storage
Most media is supplied in a sealed cartridge. It is provided this way so that the
media will remain in a clean environment. Opening the cartridge allows dirt and
airborne particles to enter and then become a source of contamination. The
cartridge should only be opened by the drive and not an operator. The media also
is held under proper tension inside the cartridge. If the cartridge is dropped, this
tension will be relaxed. Inserting a dropped cartridge into a drive can cause
incorrect loading and result in a jam. This will ruin the media and can cause
physical damage if the cartridge is not removed properly.
When the media is stored, it must be replaced in the protective containers and
stored on the end. The storage area must be clean, dry, normal room temperature
and away from any magnetic fields.
Environmental Issues
Removable media drives are designed to operate in a clean environment. Problem
factors are dirt, dust, fibers and airborne particles. Airborne particles are the most
difficult to address. When media is installed in the drive, the clearance between the
heads and the media is measured in microns. Particles can damage the media or
the head if they come in contact with either. Customers are responsible to provide
a clean operating environment for the drive and system.
Drive Cleaning
No matter how clean the environment, debris may build up on the heads of any
drive. Over time, this builds up and causes errors in reading and writing.
Customers are responsible to clean the drive in accordance with the cleaning
information provided with the drive.
IBM only supports the use of IBM cleaning cartridges for IBM drives.
Chapter 1. General Information
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