500300 Rev. U
Preventative Maintenance
6-1
6.
Preventative Maintenance
The only preventive maintenance you need to do on your tape drive is keep the head
and tape path clean. To remind you to clean the head and tape path components, the
front panel display will indicate
TIME2 CLEAN HEAD
each time a predetermined
amount of tape has passed the head. You can change the interval at which this
message appears to suit your particular situation. Refer to Chapter 4 for more
information about this feature.
6.1
Purpose
As magnetic tape ages, the oxide particles on the coated side loosen and flake away
from the tape. While most of these loose oxide particles will be caught by the tape
cleaner as the tape passes through the tape path, some will be deposited on the
head. If allowed to accumulate, the data reliability of the tape drive will be adversely
affected, first appearing as recoverable data errors and progressing to hard errors
during all attempts at data transfer. Because the tape cleaner removes the larger
particles of dirt and dust, you must periodically clean it, along with the oxide
buildup on the head if maximum data reliability is to be achieved.
A buildup of oxide on the write head gaps acts like a keeper across a magnet and
reduces the magnetic saturation of the flux reversals on the tape. A similar buildup
on the read head gaps can cause a reduction in the induced signal from the tape. In
severe cases, the buildup can actually lift the tape away from the head surface,
further reducing signal strength.
In addition to the oxide deposits on the head, dirt, dust and oxide particles can
accumulate on the tape guide surfaces and flanges. If allowed to accumulate, they
can be transferred to the recording side of the tape when it packs onto the supply
and take-up reels. In extreme situations, heavy accumulations on the guide surfaces
can induce a skew effect resulting in data errors most noticeable when reading tapes
generated on other drives.
6.2
Frequency
Several factors affect the frequency of cleaning:
•
Age and condition of the tape -
As previously stated, oxide particles tend to
flake off older tapes more readily than off newer ones. The more that older tapes
are used, the more frequently the tape path will have to be cleaned.
•
General cleanliness of the operating environment -
Tape drives that are
operated in dusty, smoky, or high humidity environments, or in machine shops
or heavy manufacturing areas will require more frequent cleaning than those
that are operated in office environments or in computer rooms.
•
Tape handling and storage -
The use of tapes that are not properly handled
and stored will require more frequent tape path cleaning. Tapes that are left on
