HP StorageWorks 1/8 Tape Autoloader User and Service Guide (August 2005)

Operating the autoloader34
Maintaining cartridges
CAUTION: Do not degauss HP Ultrium data cartridges! These data cartridges are pre-recorded
with a magnetic servo signal. This signal is required in order to use the cartridge with the Ultrium
960, 448, 232 or 460 tape drive. Keep magnetically charged objects out of close range.
To ensure the longest possible life for all of your data cartridges, follow these guidelines:
• Do not drop a cartridge. Excessive shock can damage the internal contents of the cartridge, or
the cartridge case itself, making that cartridge unusable.
• Do not expose your data cartridges to direct sunlight or sources of heat, including portable
heaters and heating ducts.
• The operating temperature range for your data cartridges is 10 to 35 degrees C. The storage
temperature range is -40 to +60 degrees C in a dust-free environment in which relative humidity
is always between 20% and 80% (non-condensing).
• If an data cartridge has been exposed to temperatures outside the ranges specified above,
stabilize the cartridge at room temperature for the same amount of time it was exposed to
extreme temperatures or 24 hours, whichever is less.
• Do not place data cartridges near sources of electromagnetic energy or strong magnetic fields
such as computer monitors, electric motors, speakers, or X-ray equipment. Exposure to
electromagnetic energy or magnetic fields can destroy data and the embedded servo code,
written on the media by the cartridge manufacturer, which can render the cartridge unusable.
• Place identification labels only in the designated area on the cartridge.
Cleaning the tape drive
When the Clean Drive LED is on, the autoloader’s tape drive needs to be cleaned. Cleaning times
can range from a few seconds to a few minutes during which time the Ready LED blinks.
CAUTION: Use the correct cleaning cartridge for your Tape Autoloader model. All cartridges are
available at
www.hp.com/go/stor a gem edia .
• Use only Ultrium Universal cleaning cartridges in any 1/8 Ultrium Tape Autoloader
• Use only DLT VS cleaning cartridges in the 1/8 DLT VS80 Tape Autoloader
• Use only SDLT cleaning cartridges in the 1/8 SDLT 320 Tape Autoloader
NOTE: If you are using the operator’s panel to clean the drive, import the cleaning cartridge only
after you have selected the Clean Drive
command. If you would like to keep a cleaning
cartridge in the autoloader, the backup software must manage drive cleaning.