Debbie Hi,
You are correct, there is sensitivity nature issue with the 3590 E (Extended
length) tapes or  "K" type or Condor. I was told that if you drop a "K"
cartridge from a height as short as 4 inches would cause the tape to be
unusable. I've not seen this in print but this indicates how seriously
important good tape handling practices are.

If you encounter a problem with the IBM "K" tapes exhibiting errors you should
call 1-888-IBM-MEDIA and ask for replacement under warranty due to the fact
that they will not "initialize" new out of the box. (this is important).

Be sure to stress to yr tape operators (especially if you have off-site
requirements) that the increased density of the K media (there are 256
lengthwise data tracks) DEMANDS proper handling.  With the 3 to 1 compaction
algorithm, these cartridges can contain over 100+ Giga Bytes of data, so the
data lost risks are very high.

As far as off-site shipment for vaulting purposes, it is suggested "turtle
boxes" as outlined in the 3590 Tape Care and Handling Guide but are asking that
these boxes also be double boxed with bubble pack to absorb any impact the
cartridge might receive during shipment.

Brgds,

Othonas


Debbie Lane wrote:

> oops, The drive is a 3590-E1A.  The tapes in question are the "K" higher
> capacity tapes.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Sims [mailto:rbs AT BU DOT EDU]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 1:27 PM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: Re: 3590E
>
> >We recently started using 3590E tapes.  Several of them are damaged.  We
> >talked to IBM support, and it sounds like other customers have had similar
> >problems.  I am wondering if any of you have experienced 3590E damaged in
> >shipment?   Have you had other problems with the 3590E?
>
> I think you mean 3590E drives.  We had one upgrade kit damaged in shipment,
> thanks to the trucking company.  One upgrade kit had a defective card pack,
> and it took over three weeks for the replacement to arrive - from Mexico.
> >From what I hear, the defect rate from that plant is pretty bad, with
> drives misconfigured or otherwise inoperable, and has become an issue
> within the company.
>
>    Richard Sims, BU