HP A3716A DDS-3 Autoloader User's Manual - 3716-96001

Care of Cartridges and Drive
Head Cleaning
6-2
Head Cleaning
Caution Use only an HP cleaning cartridge (part number 92283K) to clean the tape
heads. Do not use swabs or other means of cleaning the heads.
The autoloader contains a DDS-3 tape drive mechanism that requires cleaning
less frequently than earlier DDS mechanisms. The following table gives
guidelines for how often you should use a cleaning cartridge.
In addition to regular cleaning, use a cleaning cartridge under the following
circumstances:
n When a Clean Me message is displayed on the front panel and the
Operator Attention Required light flashes amber.
n When you are warned that the drive needs cleaning (if you have software
that can make use of the autoloaders TapeAlert facility).
To use a cleaning cartridge in random mode:
(See Autoloader Modes of Operation on page 3-8 for an explanation of
random and sequential modes.)
In random mode, the host computer controls the cleaning cycle. All you need to
do is to make sure that there is a cleaning cartridge in the magazine and that the
host knows which slot the cartridge is in. (The autoloader will only recognize
that the cartridge is a cleaning cartridge once it is loaded into the drive
mechanism.)
When the time comes to clean the heads, the operation proceeds as follows:
1 The host computer sends a SCSI MOVE MEDIUM command to move the
cleaning cartridge from the magazine to the drive.
2 The drive then automatically performs a cleaning cycle.
3 When the cleaning cycle is complete, the changer mechanism automatically
returns the cleaning cartridge to its magazine slot without further host
involvement.
In random mode, the host can program a cleaning cycle to occur at regular
intervals (say, every four weeks). The cleaning cartridge remains in a set
position (such as slot 6), ready for use at the planned time.
Tapes used per day: 1234+
Recommended cleaning frequency: 8 weeks 4 weeks 3 weeks weekly