Quantum DLTtape DLT 4000, Product Manual

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Appendix D: The Tape Cartridge
D-2 Quantum DLT 4000 Tape Drive
•
Always observe the proper environmental conditions for the
storage of tape cartridges. Refer to the cartridge reference card
supplied with each cartridge. The ambient operating environment
for the tape cartridge is:
Temperature 10 ° C to 40 ° C (50 ° F to 104 ° F)
Relative Humidity 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
•
If storage and/or transportation of a tape cartridge have exposed it
to conditions outside the ambient values above, you should
“condition” the tape cartridge to its operating environment for a
24-hour period.
•
When placing tape cartridges in archival storage, make sure you
stand each tape cartridge vertically.
•
Do not place cartridges on or near devices that may produce
magnetic fields such as computer monitors, motors, or video
equipment. Such exposure can alter or erase data on the tape.
Note that magnetic fields are not generally a problem since their
strength decreases as inverse of the distance from the source
cubed. Unless very near (within a few inches) a magnet or an
electric motor there is no problem. The earth exerts a magnetic
field everywhere of less than about 0.5 Oersteds. The field from a
tape that is read by a recording head is about 100 Oer. To disturb
the information on the tape would require a field larger than this
and to erase the recorded information a field larger than the
coercivity of the tape is required which would be about 2000 Oer.
field strength.
•
Never apply adhesive labels or POST-IT notes on the top, side, or
bottom of your DLTtape cartridge. Only use the user slide- in type
label provided with each cartridge and slide it over the label slot on
the cartridge.
•
Do not carry cartridges loosely in a box or any other container.
Allowing cartridges to hit together exposes them to unnecessary
physical shock.
•
Do not touch or allow direct contact with tape or tape leader. Dust
or natural skin oils can contaminate the tape and impact tape
performance.