frequently asked questions
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data protection
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operation
cartridge care
cleaning
specifications media compatibility
frequently asked questions
For further troubleshooting information, refer also to our Customer Support web site: http://www.hp.com/support/dlt1
How often should I clean the tape drive heads?
What should I avoid when positioning the tape drive?
How many times can I use a DLTtape IV cartridge?
What types of tape cartridges can I use with my drive?
How do I update the firmware?
For how long can I archive tapes?
HP recommends that the drive is cleaned once every two weeks to ensure optimum performance.
Use only DLT1 cleaning cartridges to clean the heads. Refer to Cleaning for details.
For internal drives, the server must provide forced cooling and be capable of drawing 2 cfm of air through the tape drive. Avoid blocking air vents. Ensure that empty bays have the appropriate blanking plates installed so that airflow is maintained.
For external drives, do not place the drive in a dirty environment, for example, on the floor, near a busy walkway, or near a door. Avoid locations subject to sudden temperature changes, such as near an outside door or window.
For specific environmental limits, refer to the specifications for your tape drive model.
The recommended maximum number of passes over any single part of the tape is 1,000,000. In practical terms, this is equivalent to about 2,000 backup operations.
Only rely on the best media to protect your valuable data. Thanks to HP's rigorous testing programs, HP DLTtape IV data and DLT1 cleaning cartridges are the safest investment you can make.
Order online at: www.hp.com/go/storagemedia.
Important: You must use DLT1 cleaning cartridges with HP Surestore DLT1 tape drives.
You can update the firmware in HP Surestore DLT1 tape drives either by downloading over the SCSI bus or by loading a firmware update tape. See Firmware
Updates.
DLTtape IV cartridges will preserve the integrity of stored data for at least 30 years if proper storage conditions are observed. See Storing Cartridges.