Handle Open-Reel Tapes - Xerox 4635 Operator's Manual

Handle open-reel tapes

XEROX 4635 LASER PRINTING SYSTEM OPERATOR GUIDE
Since improper handling can cause damage to tapes and result in
unreadable data, store tapes in their protective containers when
they are not being used. Most read/write errors are caused by
dust or dirt on the read/write head, transferred there by the
tapes.
Figure 7-22.
• Do not spill tape off the reel onto the floor or any dusty
surface.
• Do not touch the flat sides of the tape between the
beginning of tape (BOT) and end of tape (EOT) markers. In
addition to possibly causing loss of data, oil from fingers
attracts dust and dirt and leaves deposits on the read/write
head.
• Do not smoke near the tape transport or tape storage area.
Tobacco smoke and ash are especially damaging to tapes.
• Do not place tapes near line printers or other devices that
produce paper dust.
• Do not place tapes near electric motors or any other
magnetic sources that may erase data.
• Do not press the edges of the reel together. It can lead to
tape edge damage when winding or unwinding tapes.
• Do not pull on the end of the tape to tighten it on the reel.
• Ensure the tape drive components are dry after cleaning
them before loading the tape.
• Store tapes in the same climate-controlled environment in
which you keep your system. Excessive heat can damage
tapes.
• Store tapes vertically in racks.
File protection Files on an open-reel tape can be protected or written over,
depending on whether or not there is a write-enable ring on the
tape reel, sensed by the tape drive.
When the write-enable ring is absent, the tape is protected and
you can perform only read functions, including printing data from
the tape. When the write-enable is present, you can both read
and write (add files) on that tape.
Open-reel tape
OFFLINE PRINTING TASKS
7-13