SDLT Tape Drive Broken ?!

Due to recent failure of a server disk , I need to restore a directory from monthly backup tape. Sadly to find that when I insert the 2nd tape into the tape drive , the tape drive generate a big and continuous “click” sound . I guess the tape drive is faulty now as it was purchased during 2002. I feel no surprise to find it die from aging. Then I get a quotation from vendor of repairing . It’s more sad to find they charge us for more than HK$5000.00 for onsite checking on the tape drive , excluding charges for additional parts .

When I talked to my colleague Raymond ,who has similiar experience on it , told me that it’s possible to fix it as it may have some parts become loosen inside. Well, so I disassembled it :

To open this , I need to purchase a T8 catamount screwdriver

This is how it looks like inside the tape drive !

It is the small silver stick got loosen . You can see it’s loosely attach to metal arm . I Simply put it back in place . The tape drive works fine now !!

Lucky I didn’t call for repairing …