Maintaining Tape Cartridges; Cleaning Tape Drives; Cleaning Sdlt Tape Drives - HP StorageWorks ESL E-Series User Manual

Maintaining tape cartridges

NOTE:
In addition to the information provided in this manual, access the
Tape Drive Reference Guide,
http://www.hp.com/support
For longer life of recorded or unrecorded tape cartridges:
• Do not carry cartridges loosely in a container that exposes them to unnecessary physical shock.
Dropping or bumping cartridges may dislodge and damage internal components.
• Store tape cartridges vertically in their protective cases until needed. Store tape cartridges in a
clean environment that duplicates the conditions of the room in which they will be used.
• Use tape cartridges in temperatures between 50˚F to 104˚F (10˚C and 40˚C).
• If a tape cartridge has been exposed to extreme heat or cold, stabilize the tape cartridge at room
temperature for the same amount of time it was exposed for up to 24 hours.
• Keep cartridges out of direct sunlight and do not place tape cartridges near electromagnetic
interference sources, such as terminals, motors, and video or X-ray equipment. Doing so may
cause data on the tape cartridge to be altered or erased.
• Do not touch the tape medium or open the tape door unnecessarily. Dust and skin oils can
contaminate the tape, impact performance, and cause damage.
• Store tape cartridges in a dust-free environment where the relative humidity is between 20 percent
and 80 percent. For longer tape cartridge life, store the tape cartridge at 40 percent to 60
percent relative humidity.
• Use only HP qualified bar code labels. Apply them only in the designated areas of the tape
cartridge, and do not apply more than one per cartridge.
• Follow guidelines provided by the tape cartridge manufacturer.
If a tape cartridge is dropped or damage is suspected, gently shake the tape cartridge:
• If it rattles, it is damaged. Restore the data on the tape cartridge if possible and discard the
damaged tape cartridge.
• If it doesn't rattle, check the tape leader inside the cartridge. To do this, open the door on the
rear of the tape cartridge by releasing the door lock. The tape leader should be visible at the
top-left of the tape cartridge.
CAUTION:
Do not touch the tape leader or the tape medium. Dust or skin oils can contaminate the tape,
impact performance, and cause damage.

Cleaning tape drives

Use the guidelines in the following sections to clean your tape drives.

Cleaning SDLT tape drives

Be aware of the following:
• Under normal conditions, the cleaning cartridge is effective for about 20 cleanings.
• SDLT tape drives typically do not need regular cleaning, as their design allows for minimal
head contamination.
• Use the cleaning tape only if the library indicates that the drive needs cleaning.
HP StorageWorks Ultrium Tape Drive users guide
and the
for more information.
HP StorageWorks SDLT
from
HP StorageWorks
85