Erasing A Prewritten Dds/Dat Tape; Figure 15 - Media Write Protect Tab - Dell PowerVault 100T DDS4 Handbook

6 Erasing a prewritten DDS/DAT Tape

Write-protection will not prevent a cartridge from being erased by bulk-erasure or degaussing. You may bulk
erase DDS/DAT format cartridges. The cartridge will be usable; however the previous data will be lost.
NOTE: The erase feature in backup software is the preferred method for erasing a DDS/DAT tape. DAT 72
drives do not support long erase. They only support quick erase. To prevent erasing a tape set the write protect
switch.

Figure 15 - Media Write Protect Tab

Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 16