Cleaning The Tape Drive Heads - Compaq SW TL881 DLT Mini-Lib/1 Reference Manual

F-10 Compaq StorageWorks TL881/TL891 Family MiniLibrary System Reference Guide

Cleaning the Tape Drive Heads

The tape drive heads physically read and write data to and from the tape
cartridge. Under normal conditions, the heads require cleaning only when the
Use Cleaning Tape LED indicates that it is required.
IMPORTANT: Never attempt to clean the heads in a manner other than described in the
following procedure. Doing so can void the product warranty.
To clean the heads:
1. Apply power to the tape drive and wait for the green Operate Handle
LED to light.
2. Raise the cartridge insert/release handle and insert the cleaning cartridge
into the drive, then lower the handle.
3. The drive automatically executes the head-cleaning operation, which
takes at least 30 seconds. Note that a cleaning cycle can take five
minutes if the cleaning tape is near the end of its 20-pass service life.
When the cleaning cartridge has completed this task, the green Operate
Handle LED lights.
4. Remove the cleaning cartridge.
5. Mark the frequency-of-use label on the cleaning cartridge, placing a
check mark in the next available square on the card each time you use
the cleaning cartridge.
CAUTION: Remove the cleaning cartridge as soon as possible following
completion of the cleaning operation. Leaving a cleaning cartridge in the drive
can result in redundant cleaning operations each time power to the tape drive is
turned off and on, resulting in unnecessary wear on the tape drive's read/write
heads.