Perform a thorough inspection, Handle the cartridge carefully – Dell PowerVault 124T User Manual

Page 23

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LTO Media Handbook

23

Perform a Thorough Inspection

• Inspect the cartridge packaging to check for any rough handling.
• When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open

any other part of the cartridge case. The upper and lower parts of the case

are held together with screws; separating them destroys the usefulness of

the cartridge. While the door is open, check that the leader pin is properly

seated. If the cartridge has been dropped, it is likely that the pin is

dislodged inside the cartridge. It is recommended that you open the door

and check if the pin is properly seated before each use. See Figure 1-4.

• Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.
• Inspect the back of the cartridge (the part that you load first into the tape

load compartment) and ensure that there are no gaps in the seam of the

cartridge case. If there are gaps in the seam, the leader pin may be

dislodged. See Figure 1-5.

• If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears

usable, copy any data onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data

recovery. Discard the mishandled cartridge.

Handle the Cartridge Carefully

• Do not drop the cartridge. If the cartridge drops, slide the cartridge door

back and ensure that the leader pin is properly seated in the pin-retaining

spring clips.

• Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can

damage the tape surface or edges, which may interfere with the read or

write reliability. Pulling on tape that is outside the cartridge can damage

the tape and the brake mechanism in the cartridge.

• Do not stack more than six cartridges.
• Do not degauss a cartridge that you intend to reuse. Degaussing renders

the tape unusable.

Figure 1-4 displays a dropped tape which resulted in a dislodged leader pin.

This cartridge if inserted into a drive could result in a stuck tape. Other

damage could result in the leader pin falling out of the cartridge or getting

dropped inside the tape housing.

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