Fairlight-CMI

Hi everyone,

Just a follow up...

As none of the 30 tapes I was given are readable by my CMI, I tried 
to write to one of them from my CMI, just to see if the tapes are 
still functional.

The one I tried seems fine and I can successfully write to and from 
(using TOTAPE & FROMTAPE commands. I wiped it too during totape (-
w)). No softerrors whatsoever. This tape, with contents from 1988, 
was previously giving an "Unexpected Tape Error 3) message, but as I 
said it's now fine when formatted with my machine.

What does this mean?

1) The oringal contents have deteriorated, but the tape is still 
intact.
2) The Streamer Heads need re-alligning (is this possible/easy to 
do?).

??????

I know these are not easy questions to answer, but if anyone can 
shed any light or offer me guidance, that would be superb!

Kind regards,
Peter


--- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <PeterC@C...> wrote:
> Hi everyone, 
> 
> I have just got hold of 30 used Tapes, but as I'm browsing them 
> (DIRTAPE command), my CMI says they're either blank (even though 
> there are supposed to be files on them) or I get the 
> message "Unexpected Tape Error 3". These are all compatible 3M 
> DC600A Tapes and most of them are dated around 1988-1989. 
> 
> I have a couple of other tapes (Memorex MRX600A) which read and 
> write fine, so does this mean the 30 3M tapes are buggered or is 
> there a possibility my streamer could be faulty? By faulty, I mean 
> in need of a clean (no idea when this was last done), in need of 
re-
> allignment (is this possible?) or anything else anyone can suggest.
> 
> I know this is an extension of my previous posts, but these tapes 
> have quite a cool history and I'm VERY eager to get my hands on 
> their contents...
> 
> Thanks in advance! 
> 
> Kind Regards, 
> Peter