Data Tapes, Back Up Media, Data Cartridges and Cleaning Tape Cartridges by IBM, Exabyte, Fuji, HP, Imation, Intuix, MAM-A, Maxell, Verbatim, Quantum, Sony, Tandberg, TDK and more!

Dirt can build up on the heads of any tape drive, no matter how clean the environment. Every time tape motion occurs, some of the media surface comes off on the heads. Over time, this builds up and causes errors in reading and writing. Cleaning the read/write head prevents a build up of debris that can cause irrecoverable errors when writing or reading data.

You can only use cleaning cartridges a limited number of times. When a cleaning cartridge has been used to its maximum number of times, the usefulness of the cartridge expires. When cartridges expire, replace them. Never reuse an expired cleaning cartridge. An expired cleaning cartridge introduces previously removed dirt to the tape drive. When you have cleaned the tape drive, mark the usage on the cartridge in order to best determine when your IBM cleaning cartridge has expired.

When you use cleaning cartridges you should not use a grease pencil on the label of the cleaning cartridge. Also, the cleaning cartridge should be undamaged and clean when it is inserted into a tape unit.