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Environmental issues
Tape drives are designed to operate in a clean environment. Problems can be caused by dirt, dust, fibers,
and airborne particles. Airborne particles are the most difficult to address. When a tape is installed into
the tape drive, the clearance between the heads and the tape is measured in microns. Particles can
damage the tape or the head if they come in contact with either. Customers are responsible to provide a
clean operating environment for the tape drive and system.
Tape drive cleaning
No matter how clean the environment, debris can build up on the heads of any tape drive. Every time
tape motion occurs, some of the media surface comes off on the heads. Over time, this surface builds up
and causes errors in reading and writing. Customers are responsible to clean the tape drive in accordance
with the cleaning information that was provided with the tape drive.
Cleaning cartridges can be used a limited number of times. After a cleaning cartridge has been used to its
maximum number of times, the cartridge is considered expired. When cartridges expire, they must be
replaced. Never reuse an expired cleaning cartridge. Doing so allows previously removed dirt to be
reintroduced to the tape drive. Place a mark on the cleaning cartridge after each use, to best determine
when your cleaning cartridge has expired.
SCSI hardware issues
Note: If you are installing the auto-docking version of this device on your system, this section does not
apply to your system. For information about the auto-docking feature, see your system documentation.
SCSI bus cables and terminators can affect tape drive performance. Use cables and terminators that are
designed specifically to keep the SCSI bus as free of noise as possible. Generic cables or terminators can
adversely affect the SCSI bus performance. If your service provider's analysis indicates a problem with
inferior cables, it might be necessary for the customer to replace them.
Microcode updates
To make certain that the tape drives work their best, your system supplier might release changed
microcode for the tape drives. When a microcode change is developed, your system supplier makes the
change available to you through its service organization or by electronic delivery. You might be
responsible for installing new microcode as it becomes available. However, microcode can be installed by
your service provider or your system administrator. For more information, contact your authorized
service provider.
Tape drive media
Learn about using the different types of tape drive media.
Attention: Your system supplier might support only the media that it sells. If the supplier's analysis
indicates that the problem is caused by using inferior media, it is the customer's responsibility to replace
the inferior media.
Select the appropriate information from this list:
v Types of cartridges
v Recommendations for data cartridge usage
v Prolonging head life
v Storage and shipping environments
v Tape cartridge storage
v Operating in harsh environments
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Managing devices
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