[Info-vax] DLT8000 drive question

[H Vlems]

On 9 apr, 17:16, Rich Jordan <jor... at ccs4vms.com> wrote:
> I've never used or seen a loader for DLT drives in person and I have a
> customer with a question.  They picked up a couple of "loader ready"
> HP DLT8000 drives, mounted on skids with the back panels, as part of a
> bulk surplus hardware load.  The drives appear new/unused but they're
> in another state so I can't look at them.  That customer doesn't have
> (or want) a loader but the drives themselves would be nice to put into
> service.
>
> The cellphone picture they sent makes it look like they don't have a
> normal front bezel or loading lever.
>
> Can these drives be pulled from their skids/panels and used as
> standalone drives, either in a compatible enclosure or system bay,
> using normal power and SCSI cables?  Does the lack of a bezel/lever
> (lights?  Eject button???) compromise their usability?

I've got to admit that I never saw one in my life. But (un)loading a
tape ought to be possible, either mechanically or thru software.
When fitted in a DLT8000, how are the controlled: by VMS commands or
is there a layered product that actually controls the DLT8000?
In either case, connect a drive to a bus and try to operate it.
Hans