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Loading data cartridges
The tape drive uses data-quality VXA tape data cartridges, in various lengths,
available from IBM. These cartridges do not require formatting or other media
conditioning before use. See "Data capacities" on page B-1 for the capacities of the
VXA tape cartridges. See "Storage and shipping environments" on page A-2 for
storage guidelines.
Attention:
data cartridges. Do not attempt to use other types of cartridges, or you may
damage the tape drive.
Insert the front of the cartridge through the tape drive door into the loader
mechanism. (The colored write-protect tab on the cartridge should be closest to the
drive's eject button.) Gently push the cartridge until the drive's loader mechanism
activates the tape-loading process. The drive will then pull the cartridge the
remaining distance into the drive.
The tape drive loads the tape in approximately 40 seconds, during which time, the
Activity LED flashes green. When the Activity LED is steady green, the tape drive
is ready to begin write and read operations.
Unloading data cartridges
To unload a cartridge, press the eject button. The tape drive completes any
command in process, writes any buffered information to tape, rewinds to the
beginning of the tape, and ejects the cartridge in approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
Using cleaning cartridges
Clean the tape drive whenever the Cleaning LED status light comes on or a
system I/O error related to the device occurs.
Attention: Only use the IBM recommended VXA cleaning cartridges to clean
the tape drive. Use of other than recommended cleaning cartridges can damage
your drive and may void the warranty.
To clean the tape drive:
1. Make sure that the power is on.
2. If a tape cartridge is in the tape drive, eject and remove the cartridge.
3. Grasp the cleaning cartridge by the outer edges, with the window side up and
3-4
VXA-2 Internal Tape Drive: User's Guide
The VXA-2 tape drive only operates with IBM recommended VXA
Notes:
a. Cleaning cartridges can be used approximately 20 times. Once a cleaning
cartridge has been used to its maximum number of uses, the cartridge is
considered expired. The tape drive will detect, and automatically eject, an
expired cartridge. Never attempt to reuse an expired cleaning cartridge as it
will reintroduce debris removed during a previous cleaning of the tape
drive.
b. The IBM cleaning cartridge is shipped with a label on it that has 20 boxes
that are designed to be used to log the use of the cartridge. Each time the
cartridge is used, mark one of the boxes on the label with a pen or marker.
When all of the boxes have been marked, discard the cleaning cartridge.
the write-protect switch facing you.
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