Completing A Thorough Inspection; Handling The Cartridge Carefully - Dell EMC ML3 User Manual

Attention: Do not degauss LTO data cartridges! These data cartridges are pre-recorded with a magnetic
servo signal. This signal is required to use the cartridge with the LTO tape drive. Keep magnetically
charged objects away from the cartridge.

Completing a thorough inspection

After a cartridge is purchased and before it is used, complete the following steps.
v Inspect the cartridge's packaging to determine potential rough handling.
v When a cartridge is inspected, 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
impairs the usefulness of the cartridge.
v Inspect the cartridge for damage before it is used or stored.
v Inspect the rear of the cartridge (the part that loads first into the tape load compartment) and ensure
that no gaps appear in the seam of the cartridge case. . If gaps appear in the seam (see Figure 91), the
leader pin might be dislodged.
Figure 91. Checking for gaps in the seams of a cartridge
v Check that the leader pin is properly seated. .
v If you suspect that the cartridge was mishandled but it appears usable, copy any data onto a good
cartridge immediately for possible data recovery. Discard the mishandled cartridge.
v Review handling and shipping procedures.

Handling the cartridge carefully

v 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..
v Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can damage the tape's surface or
edges, which might interfere with read or write reliability. Pulling on tape that is outside the cartridge
can damage the tape and the brake mechanism in the cartridge.
v Do not stack more than six cartridges.
v Do not degauss a cartridge that you intend to reuse. Degaussing makes the tape unusable.
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Dell EMC ML3 Tape Library: User's Guide