IBM TS4500, Introduction And Planning Manual

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It is recommended that you adhere to the following packaging and shipping
guidelines to avoid damage to 3592 tape cartridges:
v
When you ship a cartridge, ship it in its original or better packaging.
v
Use only shipping containers that securely hold the cartridge in place during
transportation. Such containers can be procured from Perm-A-Store on the web
at
www.turtlecase.com
. The 3592 tape cartridges support racks and storage
containers designed for 3590 tape cartridges.
v
Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a
box or package.
v
If you ship the cartridge in a cardboard box or a box of a sturdy material, ensure
that the following precautions are taken:
– Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to protect it from
dust, moisture, and other contaminants.
– Pack the cartridge snugly; do not allow it to move around.
– Double-box the cartridge (place it inside a box, then place that box inside the
shipping box) and add padding between the two boxes.
Provide proper acclimation and environmental conditions for
3592 tape cartridges
Certain conditions ensure the safety and quality of 3592 tape cartridges.
v
Before you use a cartridge, allow it acclimate to the normal operating
environment for a minimum of 24 hours. If you see condensation on the
cartridge, wait an extra hour.
v
Ensure that all surfaces of a cartridge are dry before you insert it.
v
Do not expose the cartridge to moisture or direct sunlight.
v
Do not expose recorded or blank cartridges to magnetic fields of greater than 50
Oersteds (4000 ampere/meter). Devices that can produce strong magnetic fields
are terminals, motors, video equipment, X-ray equipment, fields that exist near
high-current cables or power supplies. Such exposure can cause the loss of
recorded data or make the blank cartridge unusable.
v
Maintain the proper conditions for storing and transporting the cartridges.
Perform a thorough inspection of 3592 tape cartridges
After purchasing a 3592 tape cartridge and before using it, perform the following
steps:
v
Inspect the cartridge's packaging to determine potential rough handling.
v
Ensure that no moisture or condensation exists on or in the cartridge shell or
media.
v
When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any
other part of the cartridge case. The upper and lower parts of the case are
welded and held together with screws; separating them destroys the usefulness
of the cartridge.
v
Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.
v
Check that the leader pin is properly positioned.
v
Ensure that labels are affixed in a manner that does not adversely affect drive
operation. Labels must only be affixed in the recessed bar code label area
provided on the cartridge. No labels should be placed in the indent on the top
of the cartridge.
v
If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears usable,
copy any data onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data recovery.
Discard the mishandled cartridge.
Chapter 2. Planning
149