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Incorrect handling or an incorrect environment can damage cartridges or their magnetic tape.
Attention: Do not insert a damaged tape cartridge into the drive. A damaged cartridge can interfere with the reliability of a drive and might void the warranties of the
drive and the cartridge. Before a tape cartridge is inserted, inspect the cartridge case, cartridge door, and write-protect switch for breaks.
To avoid damage to your tape cartridges and to ensure the continued high reliability of your IBM® LTO Ultrium tape drives, use the following guidelines:
Providing training
Providing training to the users of your tape drive can prolong the life of your tape cartridges.
Ensuring proper packaging
When you ship or store data cartridges, ensure that they are packed securely.
Proper acclimation and environmental conditions
Acclimate a tape cartridge to the operating environment before you use it.
Completing a thorough inspection
Complete a thorough inspection of your tape cartridge before you use it.
Handling the cartridge carefully
Handle tape cartridges carefully.
Examples of cartridge problems
Several examples of cartridge problems.
Providing training
Providing training to the users of your tape drive can prolong the life of your tape cartridges.
Post procedures that describe appropriate media handling in places where people gather.
Ensure that anyone who handles tape is properly trained in handling and shipping procedures. This training includes operators, users, programmers, archival
services, and shipping personnel.
Ensure that any service or contract personnel who complete archiving procedures are properly trained in media-handling procedures.
Include media-handling procedures as part of any services contract.
Define and make personnel aware of data recovery procedures.
Ensuring proper packaging
When you ship or store data cartridges, ensure that they are packed securely.
When a cartridge is shipped, use the original or better packaging.
Always ship or store a cartridge in a jewel case.
Use only a recommended shipping container that securely holds the cartridge in its jewel case during transportation. Ultrium Turtlecases (by Perm-A-Store)
are tested and found to be satisfactory (see
Figure 1. Tape cartridges in a Turtlecase
Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a box or package.
If you ship the cartridge in a cardboard box or a box of a sturdy material, ensure that you
Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to protect it from dust, moisture, and other contaminants.
Pack the cartridge snugly; do not allow it to move around.
Double-box the cartridge (place it inside a box, then place that box inside the shipping box) and add padding between the two boxes (see
Figure 2. Double-boxing tape cartridges for shipping
Figure
1). They are available at http://www.turtlecase.com.
Figure
2).
IBM TS22xx Tape Drives 117
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