No Apparent Failure or Damage to Tape

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Use the following procedure to remove a tape cartridge when there is no apparent visible damage to the tape cartridge:

  1. Set the drive on its left side with the head and tape path facing up.
    Figure 1. Rewinding the Tape onto the Supply Wheel
    Rewinding the Tape onto the Supply Wheel

     1  Loader motor worm gear  3  Take up reel motor
     2  Outer guide rail WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH  4  Supply reel motor
  2. Begin spooling the tape back into the cartridge by turning the supply reel motor ( 4  in Figure 1) clockwise.
  3. Continue spooling into the cartridge until the tape is taut and remains within the flanges of the tape guiding rollers. Ensure that you do not stretch the tape. Continue spooling until all tape is removed from the take up reel ( 3  in Figure 1).
  4. Locate the threader intermediate gear ( 1  in Figure 2) near the rear of the drive. You can use your finger to rotate the threader intermediate gear and slowly rotate the threader mechanism gear ( 2  in Figure 2) clockwise. This draws the tape leader block assembly (LBA) into the cartridge.
    Figure 2. LTO Tape Drive with the Cover Removed
    LTO Tape Drive with the Cover Removed

     1  Threader intermediate gear  2  Threader mechanism gear
     3  Loader motor worm gear    
  5. As the leader pin is secured in the cartridge, you should hear the leader pin retention spring clips click into place. If you do not hear the click, continue rolling until the threader intermediate gear ( 1  in Figure 2) stops. The LBA is in the correct position.
    Note: Be sure to keep tension on the tape as the LBA is drawn into the cartridge.
  6. Rotate the loader intermediate gear ( 1  in Figure 3) clockwise as viewed from the front of the drive until it stops. This releases the LBA leader pin.
  7. Rotate the threader motor worm gear ( 3  in Figure 2) counterclockwise until the leader block is in front of the Read/Write head. This moves the LBA out of the cartridge.
    Figure 3. LTO Tape Drive with the Cover Removed
    LTO Tape Drive with the Cover Removed

     1  Loader motor worm gear  2  Leader block assembly (LBA)
  8. Rotate the loader motor worm gear counterclockwise until it stops.
  9. Remove the cartridge from the cartridge loader tray.
  10. Reassemble the drive.
  11. Install a new drive in the enclosure and return the failed drive.