Use The Correct Media - HP StorageWorks DAT 40i Getting Started Manual

Use the correct media

For best performance we recommend HP branded media. Order online at:
www.hp.com/go/storagemedia . If you do not have internet access, refer to the User's
Guide on the HP StorageWorks Tape CD-ROM for ordering information for tape cartridges
and cleaning cartridges.
Data cartridges
For optimum performance and storage capacity, use tape cartridges that match your drive's
format, and normally use only one cartridge per day. Ideally, use HP's DDS-4 cartridges with
DAT 40 tape drives and HP's DAT 72 cartridges with DAT 72 tape drives.
Although HP StorageWorks DAT tape drives are fully backward compatible, old tape formats
are more abrasive than later generations and using older tape formats can reduce the life
expectancy of the tape drive. The compatibility between drive models and cartridges is
summarized in the following table. Shaded boxes show the recommended media for each
tape drive.
HP StorageWorks DAT 40
HP StorageWorks DAT 72
* Capacity assumes 2:1 compression.
table 2: data cartridge compatibility
Write-protecting cartridges
If you want to protect the data on a cartridge from being altered or overwritten, you can write-
protect the cartridge. (See figure 12.)
Always remove the cartridge from the tape drive before you change the write protection.
• To write-protect a cartridge, slide the tab on the rear of the cartridge so that the recognition
hole is open.
• To write-enable a cartridge, slide the tab back so that the hole is closed.
Write-protection will not protect your cartridges against magnets (or bulk erasers).
Cleaning cartridges
HP recommends weekly cleaning of the tape drive using an HP cleaning cartridge (part
number C5709A). Do not use swabs or other means of cleaning the heads. The cleaning
cartridge uses a special tape to clean the tape heads. A cleaning cartridge can only be used
50 times or as instructed on the cartridge packaging. Always place a check mark in a box
each time you use the cartridge to clean the drive. Replace the cleaning cartridge when all
the boxes are checked. New cleaning cartridges are available from HP.
1 Insert a cleaning cartridge into the drive. The tape drive automatically loads the cartridge and
cleans the heads.
DDS-1 DDS-2
90 meter 120 meter
read only read/write
not supported not supported
DDS-3 DDS-4
125 meter 150 meter
40 GB*
read/write
(C5718A)
read/write read/write
DAT 72
170 meter
not supported
72 GB*
C8010A
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