Operator Guide 4-15
Maintaining the system
• Cleaning the sensors and the reflecting surfaces
• Cleaning the display
• Cleaning the exterior surfaces of the system
Cleaning the 18/36-track cartridge tape drive
A cleaning cartridge is shipped with each 18/36-track cartridge
tape drive. This cartridge should be replaced after 500 uses.
When the tape drive needs to be cleaned, CLEAN appears in the
message display after a cartridge is unloaded and during a rewind
or locate operation.
NOTE: CLEAN is a status message, not an error message.
CAUTION: Never power off the tape drive without following the
cleaning procedure once the CLEAN message has appeared.
To clean the 18/36-track cartridge tape drive read/write heads:
CAUTION: The cleaning cartridge must be undamaged and
clean.
1. Remove any cartridge loaded in the tape drive.
2. Insert the cleaning cartridge.
The cleaning cycle takes approximately 15 seconds.
3. Remove the cleaning cartridge when it is unloaded.
4. Mark the usage on the tape label. Do not use a grease pencil.
You must clean the 18/36-track cartridge tape drive regularly to
keep it functioning properly.
Cleaning the 26-track cartridge tape drive
The 26-track, or quarter inch cartridge (QIC) tape drive heads
should be cleaned at least once a week. If you use the drive for
eight hours or more per day, then you should clean the drive daily.
The process is simple and requires very little time.
1. If there is a cartridge in the tape drive, remove it.
2. Insert the cleaning cartridge into the tape drive and close the
door. Cleaning begins automatically once the cartridge is
inserted.
3. Allow the tape to run for approximately 30 seconds, then
remove it.
