Topic: Cleaning an internal computer DAT drive & PCM transferware?

[Gutbucket]

I've got a HP DATstore DDS4 40GB tape drive from work that I'd like to transfer some tapes with.  It reports data errors and the clean led blinks when I've tried to use it to back up computer data.  I've run a dry-type cleaning tape through multiple times but get the same errors.  Any insight into cleaning one of these to salvage it?

Also any leads on software to read the raw PCM data off the DATs for transfering?

[Church-Audio]

I've got a HP DATstore DDS4 40GB tape drive from work that I'd like to transfer some tapes with.  It reports data errors and the clean led blinks when I've tried to use it to back up computer data.  I've run a dry-type cleaning tape through multiple times but get the same errors.  Any insight into cleaning one of these to salvage it?

Also any leads on software to read the raw PCM data off the DATs for transfering?

Always use Isopropanol to clean heads with. Also make sure you get lint free wipes to use with the isophropanol so as not to leave any fibers on the heads it’s most likely that the heads are out of alignment or they are dirty or magnetized. Look at the tape head if its metal is worn down then its toast and needs to be replaced. So you can try to clean and demagnetize the heads I am sure someone hear has a tape head demagnetizer they can lend you.

[Gutbucket]

Thanks Chris, that's what I figured.  I've got a demagnitizer boxed away somewhere from my analog deck days.  Never demaged a helical scan head before, anything to be aware of?

[Church-Audio]

Thanks Chris, that's what I figured.  I've got a demagnitizer boxed away somewhere from my analog deck days.  Never demaged a helical scan head before, anything to be aware of?

Demagnetizing that head is a whole ball of wax I am not an expert in these heads. But the only thing to watch out for when cleaning the head is simply to never touch it with your hand and use lint free wipes on it.

That’s all I can say good luck I am sure there are other people in this forum that know more then I do about it.

[Gutbucket]

I'll try the wipes first with a visual inspection for wear and then test with some data backups before going further with the demagin'.