Chapter 3 Operating the Cartridge Tape Drive

3.5Load Time

Once a data cartridge has been inserted, the drive requires approximately 35 seconds to load the data cartridge and position the tape (assuming that the data cartridge has been rewound). During this 35-second load time, the drive determines the following:

∙The tape format (blank, EXB-8500c, EXB-8500, EXB-8200c, EXB-8200, or other format).

∙The adaptive tape-reading parameters. This process enables the drive to read tapes produced by different manufacturers, tapes that are aged or worn, and tapes written by other 8mm cartridge tape drives.

3.6Unload Cartridge Procedure

The following actions occur when you press the unload button. (These steps assume that a data cartridge is loaded and that the drive is ready.)

NOTE

Approximately 10 seconds will elapse after you press the unload button before the bottom LED begins to flash.

1.Any command or operation currently in progress is completed.

2.Any buffered information is written to tape, and an EOD mark is written to indicate the end of data (EXB-8500c, and EXB-8500, and EXB-8200c format tapes only).

3.The tape is rewound to the physical beginning of tape (PBOT).

4.The tape is unloaded from the tape path.

5.The data cartridge is ejected.

3.7Error During Unload Procedure

If an error exists before or during the unload procedure, the unload sequence will be suspended and the top amber LED will flash. If the unload button is pressed again, the unload sequence will be re-attempted; however, unwritten data in the buffer will not be written to tape. The buffer and errors will be cleared.

Order Number: EK–STWCT–UG. E01

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