LTO Tape Drive User’s Guide
3 - Tape Media
10400934-001
©2020 Overland-Tandberg
38
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Inspect the cartridge’s packaging to determine potential rough handling.
•
When a cartridge is inspected, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any other part
of the cartridge case. The upper and lower parts of the case are held together with
screws; separating them destroys the usefulness of the cartridge.
•
Inspect the cartridge for damage before it is used or stored.
•
Inspect the rear of the cartridge (the part that loads first into the tape load
compartment) and ensure that there are no gaps in the seam of the cartridge case. If
there are gaps in the seam, the leader pin might be dislodged. Go to
Reattaching a Leader Pin” on page 39
.
•
Check that the leader pin is properly seated.
•
If you suspect that the cartridge was mishandled but it appears usable, copy any data
onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data recovery. Discard the mishandled
cartridge.
•
Review handling and shipping procedures.
Handle the Cartridge Carefully
•
Do not drop the cartridge. If the cartridge drops, slide the cartridge door back and
ensure that the leader pin is properly seated in the pin-retaining spring clips. If the
leader pin becomes dislodged, go to
“Repositioning or Reattaching a Leader Pin” on
•
Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can damage the
tape’s surface or edges, which might interfere with read or write reliability. Pulling on
tape that is outside the cartridge can damage the tape and the brake mechanism in the
cartridge.
•
Do not stack more than six cartridges.
•
Do not degauss a cartridge that you intend to reuse. Degaussing makes the tape
unusable.
Examples of Cartridge Problems
Example 1.
Split cartridge case.
The cartridge’s case is damaged. There is a high possibility of media damage and potential
loss.
1.
Look for cartridge mishandling.
2.
Use the IBM Leader Pin Reattachment Kit (part number 08L9129) to correctly seat the
pin (see “Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin”).
Then, immediately use data recovery procedures to minimize chances of data loss.
3.
Review media-handling procedures.
Example 2.
Improper placement of leader pin.
The leader pin is misaligned.
1.
Look for cartridge damage.
2.
Use the IBM Leader Pin Reattachment Kit (part number 08L9129) to correctly seat the
pin (see “Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin”).
Then, immediately use data recovery procedures to minimize chances of data loss.
