Imation 9840 User Manual

Fast, Hardworking, Reliable

In business today, information access and capacity demands are a
growing challenge for efficient, cost-effective data management. Now,
one storage technology radically redefines performance: 9840
half-inch tape technology. The Imation Black Watch

™

9840 Half-Inch Tape
Cartridge is at the heart of the solution, with its revolutionary, totally
internal tape path design and a familiar 3480-based form factor.

The 9840 tape cartridge draws on the long history of Imation half-inch
tape development and combines “the best of the best” from current
solutions with brand new innovations. Offering access speeds that rival
random access, the Black Watch 9840 tape cartridge sets new
standards for half-inch tape performance with proven enterprise­strength reliability.

Speed

Access times are decreased to 12 seconds due to the dual hub,
mid-point load design. The tape rides on a cushion of air that virtually
eliminates friction between the tape and guides, enabling the fastest
search speeds of any tape storage system.

Black Watch

™

9840

Half-Inch Tape Cartridge

Imation

Performance

The 9840 is the only technology to contain a baseplate. This aluminum
baseplate enhances cartridge stability and enables precise alignment
between head and tape to ensure reliable data reading/writing.

Reliability

Advanced servo-writing techniques enable 288 data tracks to be written
across the half-inch wide tape.

Mid-point load dual-hub design saves time by

delivering faster access to data. Searches start from
the middle of the tape, not the end.

Metal Particulate (MP) tape with proprietary

Imation backcoating dissipates static and
minimizes tape compression for optimum
performance and reliability.

Convenient form factor based on

3480/3490E cartridges preserves
investment in existing library equipment.

Factory-written servo pattern keeps heads aligned

on data tracks for precise data reading/writing
and improved reliability.

With internal cartridge guiding, the tape

never leaves the cartridge for improved
data integrity and an average access time
of 12 seconds (includes load time).

The Media Information Region (MIR)

contains directory and performance
information to optimize the management
of media and drives.

9840 technology rivals random-access technologies by
achieving unprecedented access times for half-inch tape.

<1

5.5+
12

45
53
95
100

<1

5.5+
12
45
53
95
100

Typical Hard Disk

5.25 optical
9840

3490E

3590

3590E

DLTtape™IV 7000

*Based on average first access to data, including load time.

Access Time Comparison*
(seconds)

Imation Enterprises Corp.
1 Imation Place
Oakdale, MN 55128-3414
651 704.4000
888 466.3456 phone
800 537.4675 fax
www.imation.com
[e-mail]

Imation Canada Inc.
P.O. Box/C.P. 5440
London, Ontario
N6A 5Z6 Canada
888 466.3456 phone (tél)
888 864.2260 fax (télec)

Imation Corp. Latin America/
Africa Regional Offices
6205 Blue Lagoon Drive
Suite 600
Miami, FL 33126
305 460.7999 phone
305 460.7998 fax

© Imation 2003
52-0000-4998-2 Imation and the Imation logo are trademarks of Imation Corp. Black Watch is a trademark licensed to Imation.

Physical Characteristics

Substrate Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)
Capacity 20GB Uncompressed
Durability

- Long Length 361 full-file writes/reads (7.2 terabytes) minimum
(6,500 write/read passes)

- Short Length 80,000 write/read passes minimum

Magnetic Characteristics

Coercivity 1625 ± 75 Oersteds

(130 ± 6.0 KA/m)

Cartridge Mechanical Characteristics

Size (overall cartridge) L x W x H: 4.92 in. x 4.29 in. x 1.00 in.

(125mm x 109mm x 25.4mm)

Weight 9.17 oz. nominal (262g)

Cartridge Performance

Number of Tracks 288 data tracks
Track Following Servo Factory prerecorded

Caution: do not bulk erase cartridges

Tape Speed 80 ips r/w, up to 440 ips search

(2 m/s r/w, up to 11 m/s search)

Drop Test Suitable for use after a drop of up to 39.4 in. (1m)*
Load/Unload 10,000 load/unloads minimum

Error Characteristics

Permanent Errors Zero
Archival Lifetime 15-30 years

Safety Characteristics

Toxicity Non-hazardous to human health in anticipated use
Flammability Self-extinguishing per UL94

Environmental Recommendations

Operating Conditions Acclimate for 24 hours prior to use

60°F to 90°F (15°C to 32°C) 20% RH to 80% RH
78°F (26°C) wet bulb maximum

Storage Conditions 40°F to 90°F (-5°C to 32°C) 5% RH to 80% RH
(up to 4 weeks) 78°F (26°C) wet bulb maximum

Archival Conditions 65°F to 79°F (18°C to 26°C) 40% RH to 60% RH
(more than 4 weeks) 78°F (26°C) wet bulb maximum

Transportation Conditions -10°F to 120°F (-23°C to 49°C) 5% RH to 80% RH

78°F (26°C) wet bulb maximum

Product Specifications

Imation Black Watch™9840 Half-Inch Tape Cartridge

51122-91270

WARRANTY

TEN YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES: Imation warrants that this product is free from defects in material and manufacture at the time of purchase. If any such defect appears within ten years from the
date of purchase of the product, Imation’s entire liability is, at Imation’s option, either (a) repair, or (b) replacement of the product, or (c) refund of the purchase price of the product, which must be returned to Imation with proof of
purchase. This warranty does NOT apply to product failure resulting from misuse, abuse, accident, neglect or mishandling, improperly adjusted or maintained drives, incorrect environments or wear and tear from ordinary use. WARRANTY IS
VOID IF MEDIA INFORMATION REGION (MIR) IS OVERWRITTEN OR CORRUPTED. IMATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES
FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, SAVINGS OR DATA) IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE PRODUCT. This does not exclude claims for personal injury. Some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state or country to country.

*As with all high capacity media, it is recommended that the data on a dropped cartridge be copied to another cartridge and the dropped cartridge be retired.

For more information about the Imation Black Watch™9840 Half-Inch Tape Cartridge,
contact your authorized Imation dealer or sales representative.

www.imation.com/9840

Imation 9840
Cleaning Cartridge

Order Number: 51122-90676

An efficient way to clean recording
heads without dismantling your
tape drive. Helps extend system
life, minimize service calls and
maintain reliabilty. Each cartridge
provides 100 cleanings.