DLT Tape Drive

[ohuett]

Can you clean a tape drive too much? We are having problems with our tape drives and the hardware people at Compaq say that we are cleaning them too often. We clean them twice a week...is that too much?

 

[epohl]

Periodic cleaning is not recommended since the tape drive is designed to be self-cleaning. As the tape passes over the contoured read/write head, forward and backwards, most of the loose debris is gently removed. Use the cleaning tape only when the indicator is lit. The self-cleaning contoured head on all DLTtape drives include two fixed "outriggers" that wipe any debris from tape, reducing head wear.