 Get To Know Your Cartridge
 | | Tape Leader
Buckles with drive leader to
pull media from cartridge.
DLTtape cartridges (mylar loop)
Super DLTtape cartridges
(plastic buckle with metal pin)
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 | | 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.
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 | | Cartridge Door
Provides access to the tape leader. |
 | | Serial Number
Needed for identification purposes
if calling for service. |
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| *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 down toward label.
Orange indicator should
be displayed. |
Media Care Overview
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• Protect cartridges from shock, vibration,
moisture and magnetic fields.
| | • Use the sliding labels provided.
Do not use adhesive labels or Post-it® notes.
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• Keep media in protective cases and store
vertically when not in use
| | • Do not write directly on the cartridge.
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• Make sure that no loose labels in the storage
container stick to the bottom of the cartridge
when inserting into tape drive.
| | • Write in pen, not pencil. Using a pencil can
introduce contaminants to the tape path.
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| • Never touch the tape or tape leader.
Dust and oils from your skin can contaminate
the tape and affect performance. | |
| • Avoid direct sunlight–can deform
cartridge and /or ruin media. | |
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| Media Use | Proper Conditions |
| Normal Storage
(Non Archival) | • Between 61 F and 90 F (16 C and 32 C)
• Between 20% and 80% relative humidity
• Maximum wet bulb temperature 78 F (26 C) |
| Data Archival
Storage (for one
or more years) | • Between 64 F and 79 F (18 C and 26 C)
• Between 40% and 60% relative humidity |
Visual Inspection
• Best practices: Each time a tape is loaded or changed.
• When a tape cartridge is dropped or subject to a hard physical shock.
• When a shipment of tapes show any signs of shipping damage.
• If the DLT, DLT VS or SDLT drive becomes inoperable after loading a tape.
• If a drive error occurs, inspect the current and previous cartridge used in that drive.
• Go through all inspection steps in Group 1, 2 and 3 (see below).
• 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 different cartridge.
Group 1: Case and Reel Inspection
 | Case
Inspect the case for cracks,
chips, or signs of damage. |  | Cartridge Hub
Confirm that the spring-loaded
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. |
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