5190/5194 Modular Tape Subsystem Manual

Operating the Cartridge Tape Drive and ACL
5190/5194 Modular Tape Subsystem Manual—426878-002
4-28
Cleaning a Tape Drive Without an ACL
CHK F8 Check Code on an ACL
If the ACL message panel displays a CHK F8 check code after the procedure
described in Cleaning a Tape Drive With an ACL on page 4-27, it could mean that a
cleaning cartridge is not installed in the ACL. Press and hold down the TEST button to
view the complete text for the check code.
The easiest way to determine whether a cleaning cartridge is installed in an ACL is to
unload any cartridge from the drive, remove the cartridge magazine from the ACL, and
look inside the ACL. The cleaning cartridge chamber is located at the rear on top. If a
cleaning cartridge is not installed, you must install one for normal operation. See
Installing the Cleaning Cartridge in the ACL on page 3-44. See also Responding to
Error Messages and Check Codes on page 4-31.
Cleaning a Tape Drive Without an ACL
The 5190 and 5194 tape drives automatically alert an operator when cleaning is
required by displaying the following message on the message panel:
*CLEAN
Even if the tape drive does not prompt you for cleaning, use a cleaning cartridge
according to the following schedule:
Use the following procedure to clean a 5190 or 5194 tape drive that does not have an
ACL:
1. Rewind and unload any cartridge currently in the drive (for instructions, see
Rewinding a Tape to BOT
on page 4-19).
2. Load the cleaning cartridge in the drive. The cleaning process begins
automatically and lasts about 90 seconds. When cleaning is finished, the tape
rewinds and the cartridge unloads.
Understanding Operator Messages
The 5190 and 5194 tape drives generate the same types of operator messages. There
are five message types, and messages appear on the message panel in order of
priority; that is, high-priority messages appear before low-priority messages.
Daily Operating Load Recommended Cleaning Cycle
5 cartridges Once every two weeks
10 cartridges Once a week
50 cartridges Daily
Caution. The cleaning cycle lasts about 90 seconds and cannot be interrupted. Do not turn
off power to the drive during the cleaning cycle. The cleaning tape could become lodged in the
drive.