NonStop Operations Guide for H-Series and J-Series RVUs

NOTE: These precautions are extremely important to prevent damage:
• Do not use cleaner solutions that contain lubricants. Lubricants deposit a film on the tape head
and impair performance.
• Do not use aerosol cleaners, even if they contain isopropyl alcohol.
The spray is difficult to control and often contains metallic particles that damage the tape
head.
• Do not use soap and water on a tape path. Soap leaves a thick film, and water
can damage electronic parts.
• Do not use facial tissues. Facial tissues leave highly abrasive lint on the tape path.
• Do not dip your cloths and swabs into the solvent can. These items
contaminate the solvent.
• Discard the cloths and swabs after use. Even if they appear clean, cloths and
swabs are contaminated by use. Dispose of these materials in an approved container.
Handling and Storing Cartridge Tapes
Cartridge tapes are nested in a cartridge by a spring-loaded mechanism that exposes the tape
only when the cartridge tape is loaded into the tape drive. The drive mechanism uses a leader
block to wind the tape through the tape path to load data. Exposing the tape or handling the
cartridge tapes improperly can result in loss of data.
When handling and storing cartridge tapes:
• Protect cartridge tapes from shock or vibration.
• Do not expose cartridge tapes to high temperatures by leaving them in a car or in direct
sunlight.
• Do not store cartridge tapes near magnetic fields such as those generated by power cables
or computer monitors.
• Do not remove the leader block, pull out the tape, or press the reel lock. If the leader block is
detached from the tape, contact the tape supplier for a leader block repair kit.
• When transporting cartridge tapes, do not stack the cartridges more than six high. Pack them
carefully with the reel sides upright. The leader block edges can crack if they engage with
each other.
• To store or transport tape cartridges in an ACL cartridge magazine, follow the same guidelines
as you would for storing or transporting individual cartridge tapes.
220 Preventive Maintenance