[Info-vax] VS80 redux, any service info available

[Richard B. Gilbert]

On 2/8/2011 1:45 PM, Rich Jordan wrote:
> Going to try one last time.  I've had zero luck finding a service
> manual or any useful service info on the VS80 DLT drive.  We picked up
> a couple of p/n 337701-001 new in box in 2009, new but out of warranty
> per HP.  One has been working great, the other worked for about 10
> backups then the leader self destructed.
>
> The leaders are available online, though no other parts or info seems
> to be.  I got a couple of replacements, put one in, and got part of
> one backup to a brand new tape, then it pulled the tape apart and
> couldn't eject.  Used HP's 9 volt battery trick to eject the cartridge
> and reset the leader.  Next cartridge (used this time) also failed but
> this time the drive leader self destructed again, damaging the end of
> the tape itself.
>
> Today we installed the last leader, pulled and reseated every
> connector we safely could (two of the thin ribbon cables are very
> badly placed for that and could not be done without excess
> disassembly) and cleaned the rollers and interior (but not the heads)
> with proper swabs and cleaning fluid.  The drive started loading the
> tape then errored out.  Turned out it broke the tape again; the drive
> leader looks ok.
>
> We're done playing with this drive unless we can get some usable
> service information; there's no budget for repair or replacement (it
> was to replace DAT backup on the cluster; the DAT drives are still
> working.  The other VS80 got hijacked by the peecee weenies).
>
> So... is there anyinfo or documentation publicly available out there
> to help diagnose and possibly fix this drive?
>
> Thanks for any input


Google for "DLT Tape Drive Repair" and you should get a screen full.
This is NOT a do it yourself project.  If you can't find $300-$500 in 
the budget, you will probably have to learn to live without it.