IBM 3590 manual Cleaning the Tape Path, Model B11/E11, Model B1A/E1A

Attention: Do not use a china-marking (grease) pencil on the label.

Insert only clean and undamaged cleaning cartridges into a tape subsystem.

Cleaning cartridge components from the bottom view:

gray plastic inserts

identifier notches

leader block

finger notch

Cleaning the Tape Path

The drive will display a *CLEAN message and display a CLEAN ICON after processing a predetermined amount of tape, or when reaching certain conditions. If this message is displayed, clean the drive tape path immediately to keep the drive in good operating condition.

Model B11/E11

Separate cleaning procedures exist depending on whether you clean the tape path in Random mode or the other modes.

v To clean the tape path in Random mode, at a time that is appropriate for the software application, use the operator panel to change the ACF mode from Random mode to Manual mode. Ensure that no cartridges are loaded in the drive before changing to manual mode. Manual mode operations from the priority cell do not require unlocking of the magazine. Insert the cleaning cartridge into the priority cell.

Cleaning cartridges automatically export to the priority cell when the cleaning is complete. At that time, change the ACF mode back to Random mode. The operator may choose to vary the drive offline during the cleaning period. The software application may inventory the ACF again at this time. Optionally, the software application may also re-verify the cartridge’s internal labels by reading the cartridges.

v To clean the tape path in Manual, Accumulate, Automatic, or System modes, place a cleaning cartridge into the priority cell. The drive automatically loads the cleaning cartridge. The cleaning cartridge completes its cycle, then unloads into the priority cell.

Model B1A/E1A

In a library such as the IBM 3494 and 3495, the library usually can be configured to automatically clean the drive. If the drive is not in a library that

683590 Operator Guide