HP-85 Belts needed

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Fri Feb 19 00:33:41 1999

On Thu, 18 Feb 1999, Stan Perkins wrote:

>
> The DC-100 cartridges are not preformatted, and will work in the HP-85,
> 9815, 9825, etc. The 9144 (and 9145) require a preformatted DC-600 style
> cartridge. The 9142 can format a blank DC-600 cartridge, but the format
> is not compatible with the 9144/9145.
>
> One caveat on buying used DC-100 tapes: when the tapes are stored for a
> long time and not regularly wound and rewound, the "rubber band" inside
> the cartridge (that actually moves the tape) can damage the oxide and
> cause it to lift from the tape backing. Usually the oxide comes off the
> BOT area of the cartridge, and not only does this remove the directory
> area, but the now transparent area of the tape confuses the EOT sensors
> and makes the tape totally unusable. Probably 90% or more of the HP-85
> and HP 9825 tapes I've found at swap meets are damaged in this manner.
> Even tapes that have never been used and are still shrink wrapped may be
> damaged in this way if they're old enough.
>

Stan, how can that happen? Every cartridge tape that I have run across -
from DC-100 to DC-2120 and beyond - is spooled such that the oxide face is
towards the hub of the spool and NEVER comes in contact with the drive
band. I have had tape layers stick together from old age and lack of use,
and certainly broken drive bands, but...
                                                 - don
Received on Fri Feb 19 1999 - 00:33:41 GMT