Maintaining tape drives
Issue 3.3 February 2003 137
different tape. If this clears the signal, the first backup tape is nearing the end of its life.
Discard the old tape.
SLR5 tape drive
The SLR5 tape drive uses a dry cleaning cartridge. Each cartridge is good for about 50
cleaning cycles. Regular cleaning (weekly or daily) is recommended to maximize tape
drive performance. Minimally, the tape drive should be cleaned after 8 hours of tape
movement.
To clean the tape drive:
1. Load the cleaning cartridge into the tape drive.
The cleaning cycle begins automatically, and the LED on the tape drive will flash
green. If the LED immediately lights steady green, use a new cleaning cartridge. If the
LED flashes red, remove the cleaning tape and reinsert it.
2. Remove the cleaning tape when the LED lights steady green.
3. The first time you use the cleaning cartridge, record the date on the cleaning cartridge.
Each time you clean the tape drive, mark an X in the box. After all boxes are filled,
replace the cleaning cartridge.
4. Return the cleaning cartridge to the plastic protection box.
XL/XS/DX tape drive
The XL/XS/DX 8mm tape drive uses a dry cleaning cartridge. Each cartridge is good for
about 20 cleaning cycles. Regular cleaning (weekly or daily) is recommended to maximize
tape drive performance. Minimally, the tape drive should be cleaned after 30 hours of tape
movement.
In addition, when 30 tape motion hours elapse, the top amber LED will light if the tape drive
heads need cleaning.
To clean the tape drive:
1. Load the cleaning cartridge into the tape drive.
The cleaning cycle begins automatically. The top LED flashes rapidly and turns of f, and
the bottom LED flashes slowly. When the cleaning cycle is complete, the cleaning
cartridge is ejected automatically.
2. The first time you use the cleaning cartridge, record the date on the cleaning cartridge.
Each time you clean the tape drive, mark an X in the box. After all boxes are filled,
replace the cleaning cartridge.
3. Verify that the top amber LED turns off after the cleaning.
4. Return the cleaning cartridge to the plastic protection box.