What kind of tape is this? [+ how can I hack it?]

From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
Date: Sun Sep 3 22:55:33 2000

> I've just found a tape I recovered some time ago from the
> trash. It realy looks old. Tape dimensions: 1/2 inch, density 6250dpi,
> reel exterior diameter 8 1/2 inches, reel internal hole 95mm. What
> might it be?

A 9-track tape. They came in various outside diameters up to 10.5 inches.
The maximum tape length was nominally 2400 feet, but you could get thin
tape at 3600 feet. Thin tape was much more prone to getting stretched,
snapped, or otherwise chewed up.

> I have a QIC tape drive and a DEC TZ30 tape drive. Is there
> any chance (I mean, any chance at all, no matter how crazy) to hack a
> way of reading it with the those tape drives? Just wondering...

No.

If there are important bits on the tape, I'd be willing to read them
for you, but you'd have to ship it to the USA (and pay for return
shipping if you want the physical media back).
Received on Sun Sep 03 2000 - 22:55:33 BST