IBM 7226 Manual page 20

IBM sells media designed to be used for storage. IBM supports the media that we sell. If IBM service personnel analysis
indicates a problem with non-IBM media it may be necessary for the customer to replace the media.
Media Handling and Storage
Most media is supplied in a sealed cartridge so that the media will remain clean. Opening the cartridge allows dirt and airborne
particles to enter and then become a source of contamination. The cartridge should only be opened by the drive, not an
operator. The media is held under proper tension inside the cartridge. If the cartridge is dropped, this tension will be relaxed.
Attention: Inserting a dropped cartridge into a drive can cause incorrect loading and result in a jam. This will ruin the media
and can cause physical damage if the cartridge is not removed correctly.
When the media is stored, it must be replaced in the protective containers and stored on the end. The storage area must be
clean, dry, at normal room temperature and away from any magnetic fields. Improper use, storage, or handling of drives or
media might void your warranty or service agreement.
Optical Media Handling and Storage
DVD media must be handled with care. Leaving the media exposed allows dirt particles to accumulate and to become a source
of contamination. Handling the DVD media with care reduces errors and improves the performance.
Correct ways to handle DVD media:
1. Handle media by the outer edge or the center hole.
2. Store media in jewel cases specified for DVDs.
3. Return media to storage cases immediately after use to minimize the effects of environmental changes.
4. Store media in a cool, dry environment in which the air is clean.
5. Remove dirt, foreign materials, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line
from the center of the disc toward the outer edge.
6. Check the media surface before recording.
Incorrect ways to handle DVD media:
1. DO NOT touch the surface of the media.
2. DO NOT bend the media.
3. DO NOT use adhesive labels on the media.
4. DO NOT expose media to extreme heat or high humidity.
5. DO NOT expose media to prolonged sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet light.
6. DO NOT write or mark in the data area of the media.
7. DO NOT clean by wiping in a circular direction going around the disc.
Environmental Considerations
Removable media drives are designed to operate in a clean environment. Problem factors are dirt, dust, fibers and airborne
particles. Airborne particles are the most difficult to address. When media is installed in the drive, the clearance between the
heads and the media is measured in microns. Particles can damage the media or the head if they come in contact with either.
Customers are responsible to provide a clean operating environment for the drive and system.
Tape Drive Cleaning
No matter how clean the environment, debris may build up on the heads of any tape drive. Over time, this builds up and causes
errors in reading and writing. Customers are responsible to clean the drive in accordance with the cleaning information
IBM 7226 Model 1U3 Storage Device Enclosure 9