v Check that the leader pin is properly seated.
v If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears useable,
copy any data onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data recovery.
Discard the mishandled cartridge.
v If you must recover data from a damaged cartridge, contact your service
representative.
v Review handling and shipping procedures.
Handle 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 (see
2 in Figure 16 on page 55). If the leader pin has become dislodged, go to
“Repositioning or Reattaching a Leader Pin” on page 55.
v Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can damage
the tape’s surface or edges, which may 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.
Figure 15. Checking for gaps in the seams of a cartridge
Chapter 5. Using the Media 53