DLT Tape Cartridge: Cleaning, Rewinding, Inspection

Can you believe magnetic computer tape, some forty years old, is still used today? Believe it, because we recycle round reel tape. Some of the tape we receive, we don't even try to reuse it -- it's so old and sticky I cannot imagine firms have stored this product so long. And I get calls weekly from users trying to read older tape that either flakes off or is so sticky it prohibits tape drive motors from advancing at the prescribed speed necessary to read the tape

Here's another fact that may startle you: If the older tapes had been properly cared for and stored correctly, most of these older tapes would probably run. I know, binder hydrolysis and known chemical processes will degrade tape, however, life expectancy and continuous error-free write/read capability depends upon several factors directly related to how the user maintains the tape library.

Badly deteriorating tape is due to the simple fact that most tape is not handled or stored properly. With older magnetic tape, error correction was able to handle a certain amount of abuse and debris damage. However, today's extremely sophisticated tapes -- metal particle, with capabilities of much larger storage and different recording schematics, and digital linear tape, which is 128 track serpentine longitudinal recording -- are going to demand a different level of care and handling. Newer still is the super DLT, which is Quantum's developed laser guided magnetic recording that has a transfer rate of 11MB/sec. Still think you can just put it on an open shelf?

Lets review just two important steps that will improve the life of your tape library and provide error free, or close to it, recording:

1. Care and Handling

Remember with open round reel tape you could see blowouts and cinched tape. DLT tape is not visible, so you need to know that the tape may have improper tension, rewind, and may have dirt and contamination. Not only is the tape expensive, it also holds extremely valuable information. Just because you have a back up doesn't mean that the tape is in any better shape than the one you originally recorded. Periodic cleaning and rewinding to original tension will increase the performance of each tape.

Storage

DLT tape should have a storage life of 30 years, so long as the tape is stored in the case and the reel axis is horizontal. More importantly is the environment in which the tape is stored. Ideal storage is in a room that is non-fluctuating 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent relative humidity.

For additional information and an introduction to a machine that will clean, rewind, inspect, and DLT tape cartridges please click on the "Request Free Information" button at the top of the page.