Quantum Audio Tape Drives A-Series - Manual (Page 82)

Cleaning the Tape Mechanism
Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide 66
Compatibility of the
Cleaning Tape
2
The SDLT CleaningTape is intended for use in SDLT 600A tape drives
Alternatively stated, the SDLT CleaningTape only cleans the SDLT MRC
heads.
Loading the Cleaning
Tape Into a Tabletop Tape
Drive
2
Follow these steps to load an SDLT CleaningTape into an SDLT 600A
tape drive:
1 Insert the cleaning tape, with the Front Slide Label Slot facing
outward, into the tape drive until the tape drive engages with the
cleaning tape and begins to take up the cleaning media. The green
Drive Status LED flashes and the cleaning cycle begins automatically.
2 When the cleaning cycle completes, the cleaning tape automatically
ejects from the tape drive and the yellow alert LED turns off.
Remove the cleaning tape, place it back into its plastic case, and mark the
label after each cleaning.
LTO-3A 2
Excessive tape debris or other material can accumulate on the tape heads
if the drive is:
• Used with non-approved media
• Operated in a hot, dusty environment
When this happens, the drive can experience excessive errors while
reading or writing, and illuminate the amber Status LED continuously
during operation. This means that the drive needs to be cleaned.
The LTO cleaning cartridge has the same dimensions as the tape cartridge
and contains an LTO Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM), but is loaded with
cleaning media instead of recording media. Always keep the LTO
cleaning cartridge in its protective case when not in use.
To clean the A-Series LTO-3A tape drive:
1 Load an LTO cleaning cartridge into the tape drive.
Note: On the last cleaning, the cleaning tape will not eject. Use
the Eject button on the front of the tape drive to eject the
expired cleaning tape and dispose of the cleaning tape.