IBM RS/6000 7025 manual Cleaning the Tape Path on the 5.0GB 8-mm Tape Drive

The time required for a tape to rewind and unload is between 18 seconds and minutes, depending on the position of the tape when the unload button is pushed.

If the tape cartridge cannot unload and has to be removed manually from the dr contact your service representative.

Cleaning the Tape Path on the 5.0GB 8-mm Tape Drive

Attention:

Do not use video cleaning cartridges in the 8-mm tape drive. Video

cleaning

cartridges can

damage

the 8-mm tape drive.

The 8-mm

tape

path

should

be

cleaned

either

approximately

every

30 hours

of tap

motion or

once

a

month,

whichever occurs first. The 5.0GB

8-mm

tape

drive

counts

the number of hours of tape

motion and indicates when the

tape

path requires

cleaning

when

the

lighted

disturbance

status

light (amber)

is

on.

More frequent cleaning may be required if the drive is operated in a dusty environment or in humid conditions. If the dust is allowed to accumulate, the dri has to perform more reads and writes. This can cause data loss, and may be prevented by regularly scheduled cleaning of the drive.

The	cleaning cartridge				cleans	the 8-mm tape	drive. If	you	attempt	to use an 8-mm
cleaning		cartridge		more	times	than allowed, the tape drive automatically detects
error		and	ejects	the	cleaning	cartridge.	The disturbance		status	light (amber) r
on	if	it	was on	prior	to the cleaning operation being			attempted.

Some video cleaning cartridges are extremely abrasive. An 8-mm tape drive may be permanently damaged after only a few cleaning operations using an abrasive-type cleaning cartridge.

Before loading the cleaning cartridge, make sure the power to the 8-mm tape driv on.

To load the 8-mm cleaning cartridge, do the following:

1.Grasp the edges of the 8-mm cleaning cartridge with the window side of the cartridge facing to the right.

2. Slide	the	cleaning cartridge	into	the opening	on the front of the 8-mm tape d
until	the	loading mechanism pulls	the	cartridge	into the drive.

Chapter 2. Using the System2-29Unit