Discard any tape cartridges that are dropped, as the impact may damage the tape’s internal mechanism.
Make sure the environment is kept clean and constant. Do not operate in a dusty environment and always maintain a
constant environment. A consistent storage and operating environment reduces media exposure to climatic stress.
Attention: Use only the recommended cleaning cartridge to clean the tape drive. Use of other than recommended
cleaning cartridges can damage your drive and may void the warranty.
Printers and copiers can produce paper and toner dust. Locate the tape unit away from these items. High traffic areas
near hallways and doors can also produce excess dust and dirt.
All important information should be recorded on the tape label. Information, such as the model and number of the
system or tape drive, the date, the density, any error statistics, and a log number should be included. The operating
environment and compression mode should also be noted.
Data Cartridge Erasure
Do not attempt to bulk erase an LTO data cartridge for reuse. Bulk eraser devices cannot properly erase an LTO data cartridge
and will permanently damage the cartridge.
Storage and Shipping Environments
Before using a tape cartridge, let it acclimate to the operating environment by placing the cartridge in the operating
environment for as long as it has been away from the environment or for 24 hours, whichever is less. (To determine the
appropriate operating environment, see Table 1.)
Acclimation is necessary for any data cartridge exposed to a different humidity environment or to temperature changes of
11°C (20°F) or more.
Retrieval of archived data should be performed on a tape unit that is clean and fully operational. Try to make the recovery
environment the same as the operating environment. Allow tapes at least 24 hours to acclimate to environment of the tape
unit.
The recommended environment for storage and shipment of LTO data cartridges is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Recommended Environment for LTO Data
Cartridges
Environmental Factor Storage Shipping
Temperature 5°C to 32°C
(41° to 90°F)
−40 to 52°C
(−40 to 125°F)
Relative Humidity
(noncondensing)
20 to 60% 5 to 90%
Maximum Wet Bulb 26°C
(79°F)
27°C
(80°F)
Tape Cartridge Storage
Tape Cartridge Storage
Tape drives record data using densities similar to hard disk drives. Because most computer systems are not located in a dust-
free, climate-controlled environment, you must exercise special care when dealing with tape cartridges and tape drives. They
need to be treated as a valuable asset used to protect your business data.
Use the following guidelines for storing your tape cartridges:
Temperature and humidity should be kept constant at a level comfortable for you.
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