TAPE DRIVE CLEANING STRATEGIES


Subject: TAPE DRIVE CLEANING STRATEGIES
Updated Netfinity server RETAIN Tip: 

    Record number:       H161972
    Device:              D/T8639
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00426
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:             006
    Date created:        O97/11/20
    Date last altered:   A99/08/19
    Owning B.U.:         USA


Abstract: TAPE DRIVE CLEANING STRATEGIES

TEXT:

The intention of this document is to identify preventative maintenance strategies for cleaning tape drives and how these strategies pertain to tape drive problem determination on the following IBM tape drives:

  - IBM 4/10GB 4mm tape drive 5.25"     FRU P/N 59H3536
                                     Option P/N 74H8631
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 8191160 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 21F8763
  - IBM 4/10GB 4mm tape drive 3.5"      FRU P/N 59H3537
                                     Option P/N 74H8632
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 8191160 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 21F8763
  - IBM 12/24GB 4mm tape drive          FRU P/N 02K1150 or 28L1652
                                     Option P/N 01K1282
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 59H3465
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 59H3090
  - IBM 4/8GB TR4 SCSI tape drive       FRU P/N 02K1129
                                     Option P/N 06H9716
       IBM Data Cartridge            3M 84-9802-2974-8 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 16G8583
  - IBM 4/8GB TR4 EIDE tape drive       FRU P/N 10L6039
                                     Option P/N 06H9720
       IBM Data Cartridge            3M 84-9802-2974-8 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 16G8583
  - IBM 20/40GB 8mm tape drive          FRU P/N 76H0487 or 28L1654
                                     Option P/N 76H0485
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 59H2679 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 59H2898
  - IBM 35/70GB DLT tape drive          FRU P/N 00K7898 or 28L1655
                                     Option P/N 00K7900
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 59H3040 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 59H3092
  - IBM 20/40GB DLT tape drive          FRU P/N 10L6066 or 28L1653
                                     Option P/N 01K1320
       IBM Data Cartridge                   P/N 59H3040 (5pack)
       IBM Cleaning Cartridge               P/N 59H3092


Unlike most other options that are integrated into todays PC's magnetic tape drives do require periodic cleaning as a means of preventative maintenance.
Tape drives can require cleaning when changing to different types of media and dirty tape drives can cause a multitude of problems.
Usual symptoms start with error messages to clean the drive
(either by actual text messages from the backup application or by specific LED signals from the drive itself
(see your User's Guide for the LED sequencing specific to your drive),
and finally ending with outright drive failure.


Problem determination of tape drives should always include the elimination of tape drive cleaning issues such as cycle life of cleaning cartridges, environment, frequency of cleaning, and frequency / duration of use.

However, problem determination of any tape drive issue should always begin with verification of the hardware configuration as well as the Software configuration relative to the "Compatibility" Matrices. Matrices of Machine Type/Model Hardware/Software are located on the IBM Website at URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/index.html

Select categories from the "Compatibility Information on
Options and Software" pull-down box, then click "GO"

After determining that these issues are not the cause, then applying diagnostics specific to the tape drive would be in order.
Final problem determination would require searching the RETAIN database as well as the IBM TechTips data base for relative issues.
IBM TechTips may be accessed via the IBM Website at URL:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/support

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST:



See RETAIN Record # H133024 as a companion to this Tip with reference to the IBM 4/10GB 4mm Tape Drive.

WORLD-WIDE SOURCES FOR TAPE DRIVE CARTRIDGES AND CLEANING CARTRIDGES:

US/Canada/Puerto Rico - 888-IBM-MEDIA
Central America - +1-305-539-3470
Mexico - 525-726-6203
South America - 305-599-0375
Spain - 900 983131
Italy - 1678 78349
France - 0590 5871
Germany - 0130 818 005
Sweden - 0207 94270
Norway - 800 11389
Denmark - 800 15534
Finland - 08001 13110
UK - 0800 968679
EMEA - +31 433 502 756
Japan - 03-3808-8486

Some of the IBM tape options include data and cleaning cartridges from non-IBM sources.
In these cases, the specific ordering instructions are included on the small insert card included in the cartridge case.


TRADEMARKS:

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