Handling The Cartridge Carefully; Examples Of Cartridge Problems; Repositioning Or Reattaching A Leader Pin; Repositioning A Leader Pin - IBM TS4300 3555 User Manual

• 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.

Handling 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. See
leader pin becomes dislodged, go to "Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin" on page 166.
• 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

Split cartridge case. See Figure 92 on page 165.
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" on page 166). Then, immediately use data recovery
procedures to minimize chances of data loss.
3. Review media-handling procedures.
Improper placement of leader pin. See Figure 93 on page 167.
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" on page 166). Then, immediately use data recovery
procedures to minimize chances of data loss.

Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin

Attention: Use a repaired tape cartridge only to recover data and move it to another cartridge.
Continued use of a repaired cartridge might void the warranties of the drive and the cartridge.
If the leader pin in your cartridge becomes dislodged from its pin-retaining spring clips or detaches from
the tape, you must use the IBM Leader Pin Reattachment Kit (part number 08L9129) to reposition or
reattach it. (Do not reattach the pin if you must remove more than 7 meters (23 feet) of leader tape.) The
sections that follow describe each procedure.

Repositioning a leader pin

A leader pin that is improperly seated inside a cartridge interferes with the operation of the drive. Figure
93 on page 167 shows a leader pin in the incorrect
To place the leader pin in its proper position, you need the following tools:
• Plastic or blunt-end tweezers
• Cartridge manual rewind tool (from Leader Pin Reattachment Kit, part number 08L9129)
166 IBM TS4300 Tape Library Machine Type 3555: User's Guide
2 in Figure 93 on page 167. If the
1 and correct 2 positions.