Media Care Guide
Protect Your Asset
Proper Media Care
How to care for, handle, inspect and
ship your Maxell media cartridges.
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Media Care Guide
Table of Contents
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Why Media
Care Is
Important
Maxell media cartridges are
engineered to be reliable,
robust and durable. They are
manufactured to withstand
up to a million head passes,
and have an archive life of
up to 30 years.
Follow the guidelines in
this booklet to get the most
from your tape.
The safety of your data
relies on proper care and
handling.
Get To Know
Your Cartridge
• Cartridge features
Media Care
Overview
• Protecting your cartridge
• If you drop your cartridge
• Proper storage conditions
• Labeling your cartridge
Visual
Inspection
• When to perform a
visual inspection
• Performing a visual
inspection
• Spotting a damaged
cartridge
Shipping
Cartridges
• How to pack and ship
cartridges
Quick Guide:
Do’s and Don’ts
• A quick and easy guide
to caring for your
media
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Media Care Guide
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Get To Know Your Cartridge
Media Care Guide
Get To Know Your Cartridge
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1
Get To Know
Your Cartridge
Tape Leader Pin
Metal pin connects with grabber arm
to pull media from cartridge.
Reel Lock
Prevents media reel in the cartridge
from spinning when the cartridge
is not loaded in a drive. This
ensures that proper media tension is
maintained.
Cartridge Hub
Mechanical interconnect between the
cartridge and the drive reel motor.
Cartridge Door
Provides access to the tape leader.
Serial Number
May be needed for identication
purposes if you call for service.
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2
3
4
5
Ultrium LTO Cartridge Features Write Protect Switch
Prevents overwrite or erasure
of data. You can change the
position of the write protect
switch at any time.
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5
4
3
2
Slide indicator right
to close lock.
1.1
Media Care Guide
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Get To Know Your Cartridge
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4
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3
5
2
Super DLTtape
DLTtape
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2
1
Tape Leader Buckle
Buckles with drive leader to
pull media from cartridge.
DLTtape cartridges (Mylar loop)
Super DLTtape cartridges
(plastic buckle with metal pin)
Reel Lock
Prevents media reel in the cartridge
from spinning when the cartridge
is not loaded in a drive. This ensures
that proper media tension is
maintained.
Cartridge Hub
Mechanical interconnect between the
cartridge and the drive reel motor.
Cartridge Door
Provides access to the tape leader.
Serial Number
May be needed for identication
purposes if you call for service.
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2
3
4
DLTtape and Super DLTtape Cartridge Features Write Protect Switch
Prevents overwrite or erasure
of data. You can change the
position of the write protect
switch at any time.
DLTtape and
Super DLTtape
Write protected – slide switch down
toward label area. Orange indicator
should be displayed.
Get To Know
Your Cartridge
1.1
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Media Care Guide
Get To Know Your Cartridge
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Dual Reel Tape
Media goes back and forth between
supply and take-up hubs within
cartridge.
Cartridge Door
Provides access to the tape leader. The
door should be closed.
Write Protect Tab
Prevents overwrite or erasure of data.
You can change the position of the
write protect switch at any time.
Serial Number
May be needed for identication
purposes if you call for service.
DAT and DDS Cartridge Features
1.2
Get To Know
Your Cartridge
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2
3
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2
1
Slide indicator
right to close lock.
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Media Care Guide
1
Media Care Overview
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• Protect cartridges from shock, vibration, moisture and
magnetic elds.
• Keep cartridges in protective cases and store vertically
when not in use.
• Ensure that no loose labels in the storage container stick
to the bottom of the cartridge, covering the hub.
• Never touch the tape or tape leader. Dust and oils from
skin can contaminate the tape and aect performance.
• Avoid direct sunlight – it can deform cartridge and/or
ruin media.
• Allow cartridge 24 hours to adjust to the present operating temperature and humidity before use.
Protecting Your Cartridge
2
Media Care
Overview
• The usage or durability of your media is inuenced by
its care and handling as described in this document.
• Many of the newer drives monitor the usage of the
media and will alert you as to when to replace a
cartridge. Refer to your drive documentation for
available alerts or software utilities.
• The table below shows the usage specication
for each media type. The actual amount can vary
depending on drive wear, environmental factors and
media handling.
Media Usage/Durability
• Inspect case for any signs of cracks or protruding
material.
• Open cartridge door to check for damage.
See Section 4 – Visual Inspection.
• If damage is present
Do not insert cartridge in tape drive.
Discard and/or contact the manufacturer.
• If cartridge appears usable
Transfer data to a new cartridge and discard the
old one.
If You Drop Your Cartridge
Proper Storage Conditions
Non-archival
Storage
• Between 60°F and 90°F (16°C and 32°C)
• Between 20% and 80% relative humidity
• Between 41°F and 131°F (5°C and 55°C)
• Between 10% and 80% relative humidity
Media Use Proper ConditionsMedia Type
DLTtape
Super DLTtape
LTO Ultrium
DAT/DDS
Archive Storage
(for one or more years)
• Between 73°F±9°F (23°C±5°C)
• Between 40% and 60% relative humidity
Non-archival
Storage
Archive Storage
(for one or more years)
• Between 41°F – 90°F (5°C – 32°C)
• Between 20% and 80% relative humidity
Full Tape Uses
Specication
Media Type
DLT
Super DLT, DLT-S
LTO Ultrium
DAT/DDS Up to 100
Up to 200
Up to 260
Up to 260
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Media Care Guide
Get To Know Your Cartridge
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• Never use non-standard adhesive labels or Post-it
type notes.
• Use barcode labels designed specically for your
cartridge.
• To avoid drive/cartridge damage, make sure only
one label is stuck to the designated label area of the
cartridge. Multiple labels may cause jamming.
• Do not write directly on the cartridge.
• Write in pen, not pencil. Pencil can contaminate
the tape path. Never use a grease pencil to write
on the label.
Labeling Your Cartridge
2.1
Media Care
Overview
Proper Labeling
DLTtape &
Super DLTtape
Slide label ONLY into molded track
on the back of the cartridge
Stick label ONLY in the indented
area on the back of the cartridge
LTO Ultrium
Media Type Label Location
Stick one label in the indented
area on the back and/or top of
the cartridge
DAT/DDS
2.1
Media Care Guide
1
Visual Inspection
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When To Perform a Visual Inspection
3
Visual
Inspection
• Best practices: Each time a tape is loaded or changed.
• When a tape cartridge is dropped or subjected to a hard physical shock.
• When a shipment of tapes show any signs of shipping damage.
• If the drive becomes inoperable after loading a tape.
• If a drive error occurs, inspect the current and previous cartridge used
.in that drive.
How To Perform a Visual Inspection
• Go through all inspection steps in Group 1, 2 and 3 (see following pages).
• If issues are found in Group 1 only and no issues found in Groups 2 or 3
then use cartridge with caution.
• Monitor software log for media degradation.
• Consider copying the data onto a new cartridge and retiring the old
cartridge.
• If any issues are found in Group 2 or 3, then retire the media and use a
dierent cartridge.
Protective Case Inspection (All Media Types)
Case
Inspect the protective case
for cracks, chips, distortion,
or other signs of damage.
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Media Care Guide
Visual Inspection
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Visual Inspection
3.1
Visual
Inspection
LTO Ultrium External Cartridge Inspection
Cartridge
Inspect the exterior of the
cartridge for chips, cracks,
dents or missing screws.
Gently shake the cartridge,
listening for rattles or loose
pieces.
Cartridge Hub/Reel Locks
Conrm that the springloaded hub on the bottom
of the cartridge is centered.
Press the hub. It should
spring back if operating
properly. Operation of the
reel locks may release the
hub and re-center. Check that
the reel locks are visible and
out. The hub should not turn.
Write Protection Switch
Move the switch. It should
be able to snap into
write-protected mode and
write-enabled mode.
Cartridge Door
Ensure the door is moveable
and springs closed.
3.1
Media Care Guide
1
Visual Inspection
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Visual Inspection
DLTtape and Super DLTtape External Cartridge Inspection
Cartridge
Inspect the exterior of the
cartridge for chips, cracks,
dents or missing screws.
Gently shake the cartridge,
listening for rattles or loose
pieces.
Cartridge Hub
Conrm that the springloaded hub on the bottom
of the cartridge is centered.
Press the hub. It should
spring back if operating
properly. Operation of the
reel locks may release the
hub and re-center.
Write Protection Switch
Move the switch. It should
be able to snap into
write-protected mode and
write-enabled mode.
Reel Locks
Check that both reel locks
are visible. Verify operation
using a small at blade
screwdriver. The reel locks
should spring back when
released.
Cartridge Door
Ensure the door is movable and
that the spring is present.
3.2
Visual
Inspection
3.2
Media Care Guide
Visual Inspection
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Visual Inspection
DAT/DDS External Cartridge Inspection
Cartridge
Inspect the exterior of the
cartridge for chips, cracks,
dents or missing screws.
Gently shake the cartridge,
listening for loose pieces.
Write Protection Tab
Move the tab. It should
be able to snap into
write-protected mode and
write-enabled mode.
Cartridge Door
Ensure the door is locked and
closed.
3.3
Visual
Inspection
3.3
Media Care Guide
1
Visual Inspection
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DLTtape Leader Inspection
3.4
Visual
Inspection:
Spotting
a Damaged
Cartridge
Normal
Normal leader.
Tape Leader Missing
Swallowed cartridge leader or broken tape.
Broken Tape Leader
Not always this obvious.
Excessive Debris
Stuck to tape leader and to tape.
Media Wrapped too Loosely
Excessive slack apparent.
(Note: OK to use cartridge if small amount of slack at the tape
leader is present, but inspect cartridge again after use.)
3.4
Visual Inspection
Media Care Guide
Visual Inspection
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Super DLTtape Leader Inspection
Normal
Normal leader.
Toed-In Buckle
Buckle ends clearly extend
past edge of reel.
Gap from Tape Leader Slack
Tape Leader is clearly visible.
Buckle Separated from
Tape Leader
Buckle has broken through tape
leader on one side.
Excessive Debris
Stuck to tape.
3.5
Visual
Inspection:
Spotting
a Damaged
Cartridge
Buckle Missing
No buckle present.
Buckle Bent
One buckle end is bent and
buckle is not symmetrical.
3.5
Visual Inspection
Media Care Guide
1
Visual Inspection
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LTO Ultrium Leader Inspection
3.6
Visual
Inspection:
Spotting
a Damaged
Cartridge
Normal
Normal leader pin position.
Tape Leader Missing
Swallowed leader pin or broken tape.
3.6
Visual Inspection
Media Care Guide
Shipping Cartridges
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Note: This procedure assumes you DO NOT have the original packaging the
cartridges were shipped in. If the original packaging is going to be used,
ensure any empty space created by removed cartridges is lled with bubble
wrap to prevent the shipped cartridges from shifting around inside the box.
How to Pack and Ship Cartridges
4
Shipping
Cartridges
2‘
2‘
2‘
10”
10”
6”
6”
14”
6“
1‘
Orient tapes vertically in the shipping box
Fill in air space in large sized boxes
Do Not Use the Following Shipping Materials:
Air pillows, peanut packaging, oversized boxes, standard at boxes,
(e.g. FedEx boxes)
Wrap Each Cartridge Properly
2’ x 2’ sheets of bubble wrap, 1” thick
Use the Correct Shipping Box
Small box: 10” x 6” x 6” (Holds one cartridge ONLY)
Large box: 14” x 10” x 6” / Multiple Cartridge Box
(Holds three cartridges ONLY)
Do not ship with fewer than three cartridges.
Packing Single or Multiple Cartridges
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2
3
4
5
6+
1 sheet 1 small box
2 sheets 2 small boxes
3 sheets 1 large box
4 sheets 1 large box, 1 small box
5 sheets 1 large box, 2 small boxes
Ship in multiple boxes in combination
following the above guidelines.
# of Cartridges Bubble Wrap # of Boxes
!
!
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Media Care Guide
1
Media Care Do’s and Don’ts
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Media Care Do’s Media Care Don’ts
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Quick Guide:
Media Care
Do’s and
Don’ts
Storage and Shipping
• Don’t store near magnetic elds.
• Don’t ship cartridges in drive.
• Don’t stack cartridges horizontally.
Handling
• Don’t touch the media or leader with bare ngers.
• Don’t use pens or pencils during cartridge inspection.
• Don’t disassemble cartridges.
Usage
• Don’t drop cartridge.
• Don’t use a dropped cartridge.
Storage
• Store cartridges in their protective cases.
• Align cartridges so grooves interlock.
• Store media vertically.
Handling
• Handle cartridges with great care.
• Use the right label for your cartridge.
Usage
• Inspect cartridges prior to each use.
• Unload cartridges prior to powering down the drive.
• Before using a new or stored cartridge, allow the cartridge 24 hours to
adjust to the present operating temperature and humidity.
5
Maxell Corporation of America
22-08 Route 208, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Maxell Canada
50 Locke St., Unit #2, Concord, Ontario, Canada L4K 5R4
Maxell Europe Limited
European Headquarters - Multimedia House
High Street, Ricksmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1HR United Kingdom
Maxell Latin America
Plaza Btesh - Calle 50, Panama City, Panama
© 2007 Maxell Corporation of America
For more information, visit: www.maxell.com
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