HP ESL E-series Tape Libraries - Manual (Page 87)

Cleaning tape drives
Use the guidelines in the following sections to clean your tape drives.
Cleaning SDLT tape drives
Be aware of the following:
• Under normal conditions, the cleaning cartridge is effective for about 20 cleanings.
• SDLT tape drives typically do not need regular cleaning, as their design allows for minimal head
contamination.
• Use the cleaning tape only if the library indicates that the drive needs cleaning.
• Use the cleaning tape more than once if a tape has severely contaminated the drive heads. If the
problem persists after two cleanings, and the cleaning tape has not expired, contact your authorized
service provider.
NOTE:
Do not use a DLT, DLT1, or VS cleaning tape (almond in color) in an SDLT drive. SDLT cleaning
tapes are gray and use a 7- or 8-character barcode label, CLNxxxS or CLNxxxS1.
To clean the tape heads:
1. Move a cleaning cartridge into the drive using your application software. The tape drive
automatically loads the cartridge and cleans the heads.
During the cleaning cycle the drive's green Ready LED flashes. At the end of the cleaning cycle,
the drive ejects the cartridge.
2. Remove the cleaning cartridge from the drive.
Cleaning Ultrium tape drives
Be aware of the following:
• Ultrium tape drives have been developed to have a minimal cleaning requirement.
• An HP Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridge can be used up to 50 times. If you are using an older
HP Ultrium cleaning cartridge, check the documentation that came with your media.
CAUTION:
Only use HP Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridges in Ultrium tape drives.
• If the cleaning cartridge is ejected immediately, then it has expired or is not an Ultrium cleaning
cartridge. Discard it and use a new one.
To clean the tape heads:
1. Move a cleaning cartridge into the drive using your application software. The tape drive
automatically loads the cartridge and cleans the heads. The cleaning cycle can take up to five
minutes.
2. Move the cleaning cartridge back to the proper storage bin using your application software.
HP StorageWorks ESL E-Series Tape Library 87