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| Thread ID: 16336 | 2002-03-05 21:37:00 | Tapes failing | Guest (0) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 38020 | 2002-03-05 21:37:00 | I have had two tapes fail recently (just can't be read)- they are Imation Travan NS 20 Gb. At $100 a pop I was wondering if this is normal and if there is anything I can do to bring them back to life. THey are about 2 years old. | Guest (0) | ||
| 38021 | 2002-03-05 23:39:00 | Make sure that you aren't putting the tapes near any magnetic sources as this will erase the tape. JM |
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| 38022 | 2002-03-06 00:47:00 | Try re-tensioning | Guest (0) | ||
| 38023 | 2002-03-06 04:25:00 | Unfortunately, these tapes are recorded at a ridiculius density (something like 18000 bpi). That requires perfect tape (that's why they cost so much). The tape is thin (to get lots in a small case), the oxide is thin (for response), so it doesn't take much use (or *any* abuse) to cause problems. I am sure you don't store tapes in an airconditioned room. Mainframe 1/2' tapes used heavy tape and the maximum density used was 1600 bpi. Stored in a controlled environment, they lasted very well. Rewinding was recommended every two years to prevent print-through. NASA have millions of them, though they have been writing the contents to CDs for a while now. So if retensioning does not help (and I don't think it will), and you can't format them --- you'd be better to put the money towards a CD writer. |
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