User`s guide

Benchmark DLT1 Drives & Media
Using DLT1 Tape Cartridges
Chapter 33-6
Using DLT Type IV Media
CAUTION Always remove the cartridge from your DLT1 drive before powering down
your tape library or autoloader. Leaving a cartridge in the drive when
power is off can result in cartridge and drive damage. To prolong
cartridge life, always return the cartridge to its storage case after
removing it from the drive.
To ensure the most reliable operation when storing your data, HP
recommends that you use new unformatted DLT Type IV cartridges or
DLT Type IV cartridges that have been used only in DLT1 drives. If you
want to write to cartridges that were previously formatted with a
Quantum DLT drive, you must use a sufficiently rated bulk eraser to
prepare the cartridges for use with your Benchmark DLT1 drive. (See
page 1-2 for information on format compatibility.)
Bulk Erasing Tape Cartridges
Erasing the data cartridge in its original drive is not adequate because
the existing, incompatible format will remain on the tape cartridge. The
degaussing equipment used to bulk erase previously formatted media
must have an Oersted rating at least equal to, and preferably two or
three times greater than, the rating for the media being erased. For
example, DLT Type IV media is rated at 1850 Oersteds. Specific
procedures for degaussing your media should be included with your
degaussing equipment.
The following websites offer degaussing products or services. Other
sources can being found by doing an Internet search.
• www.audiolabelectronics.com/Degserv.htm
• www.datadev.com
• www.datasecurityinc.com/products.htm
• www.weircliffe.co.uk
CAUTION All previously recorded data will be removed if you bulk erase a tape
cartridge.