On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:58 AM, Chris Zach via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> As someone that has worked with computer tapes for nearly 40 years, I have >> to question the sanity of this. These > tapes are *HOW* old? What was their intended lifespan? While we all like to > keep our hardware as original as possible, does it really make sense to try > to run systems in this day and age with QIC tapes? > > Well, you gotta use something to back up those ESDI drives. > > I'm finding the TK50's and TK70's to be pretty good, the big massive problem > with them is those two pulleys having the grease dried up. Since one of them > runs the tape tachometer they need to spin freely and smoothly. > > Count the turns on the top bolt as you remove it, take off the pulleys, > lubricate or replace the bearings, reassemble, good for another 20 years or > so. > > QIC.... Yeah that's not going to work well. Times change.
I’m also not using MFM or ESDI drives. I converted my Q-Bus HW to SCSI 20+ years ago. When I get it back up and running, I plan to convert it to SCSI2SD. OTOH, I am trying, for some insane reason to get a DSSI system going. I started converting my SCSI based DEC HW to SCSI2SD last summer. Having said that, that’s good news on the TK50’s and TK70’s, I have a couple boxes in my office (so somewhat nicely stored) that I need to read, in my nonexistent free time. My plan has been to buy a refurbished SBB that will read them. I’m more likely to trust the TK50 in my PDP-11 than the 4mm DAT. I’ve read 30 year old 9-track tapes on production hardware, and I’ve read very old TK50’s (as well as other DLT-style tapes). Things like QIC, 8mm, and 4mm, I try my best to avoid on production systems. Zane
