Handling the cartridge carefully

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Handle tape cartridges carefully.

About this task

  • Do not drop the cartridge. If the cartridge drops, slide the cartridge door back and ensure that the leader pin is properly seated in the pin-retaining spring clips. See  2  in Figure 1. If the leader pin becomes dislodged, go to Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin.
  • Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge. Handling the tape can damage the tape 's surface or edges, which might interfere with read or write reliability. Pulling on tape that is outside the cartridge can damage the tape and the brake mechanism in the cartridge.
  • Do not stack more than six cartridges.
  • Do not degauss a cartridge that you intend to reuse. Degaussing makes the tape unusable.