Write-Protect switch

The position of the write-protect switch on the tape cartridge determines whether you can write to the tape.

If the switch 1 is set to:
  • The locked position Write-protect switch in locked position (solid red), data cannot be written to the tape.
  • The unlocked position (black void), data can be written to the tape.

If possible, use your server's application software to write-protect your cartridges (rather than manually setting the write-protect switch). This application allows the server's software to identify a cartridge that no longer contains current data and is eligible to become a scratch (blank) data cartridge. Do not write-protect scratch (blank) cartridges. The tape drive cannot write new data to them.

If you must manually set the write-protect switch, slide it left or right to the desired position.

Figure 1. Setting the write-protect switch

Setting the Write-Protect switch

Table 1. Location of the write-protect switch
1 Write-Protect switch