Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cleaning light on while the DLT IV tape is in the DLT4000 drive?
Drive is dirty: Check your manual or go to the drive manufacturer's web site for information regarding cleaning the drive.
Calibration of the tape has failed: Eject the tape and try again.
Tape could be damaged or defective: Try a different tape.
Tape was originally written in a DLT 7000 drive: Tape cannot be read in a DLT 4000 drive as a result.
I have heard that the DLT III or TK85 tape can supply as much as 40 GB capacity. Why don't I get that from my tape? 
DLT tape capacity depends on the drive. The DLT 260 drive will only give 2.6GB and cannot be compressed. The DLT 600 drive has a 6.0GB capacity and cannot be compressed. On the high end, the DLT 8000 uses the same tape but allows 10GB uncompressed, 20GB with compression.
A DLT IV cartridge that was initialized in a DLT 4000 drive gives a native capacity of 20GB. Will it have 40GB if it is used in a DLT 8000 drive?
Only if the cartridge is re-initialized on the DLT 8000 drive, otherwise the DLT 8000 drive invokes its backward compatibility and uses the 20GB format on the cartridge. Be sure to off-load the data from the cartridge before re-initialization, because re-initialization puts the cartridge into a blank state that makes the old data inaccessible. Re-initialization can be done by erasing the cartridge prior to inserting it into the DLT 8000 drive, or by using the DLT 8000 drive's density over-ride function.
How can I avoid damaging my tape cartridges while handling them?
Over the years we've seen dramatic increases in the capacity of tape cartridges. However, high-capacity cartridges have higher linear and track density, which often positions data and servo tracks closer to the edges of the tape, making them more susceptible to damage. Following a few basic rules for cartridge handling can help you keep your data safe:
- No more than six cartridges should be stacked or carried at a time to minimize the risk of dropping the stack.
- Cartridges that are dirty or damaged should not be placed in a drive.
- Use finger grips, if present, to lift a single cartridge.
- Leader blocks should not be removed and doors should not be opened to prevent tape damage.
- Never touch the tape surface—residue from a fingerprint can create greater head-to-tape separation and result in loss of signal (data).