Administrator Guide

17 Dell EMC Tape Systems | Document ID | version (optional)
Correct Leader pin location
• Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.
• Inspect the back of the cartridge (the part that you load first into the tape load compartment) and ensure that
there are no gaps in the seam of the cartridge case. If there are gaps in the seam, the leader pin may be
dislodged. See Figure 6.
• If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears usable, copy any data onto a good
cartridge immediately for possible data recovery. Discard the mishandled cartridge.
11.3 Handle the Cartridge Carefully
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 Figure 6.
• Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can damage the tape surface or
edges, which may interfere with the read or write reliability. Pulling on tape that is outside the cartridge
can damage the tape and the brake mechanism in the cartridge.
• Do not stack more than six cartridges.
• Do not degauss a cartridge that you intend to reuse. Degaussing renders the tape unusable.
Figure 7 displays a dropped tape which resulted in a dislodged leader pin. This cartridge if inserted into a
drive could result in a stuck tape. Other damage could result in the leader pin falling out of the cartridge or
getting dropped inside the tape housing.