HP Forum Archive 19

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HP 85B tape drive Message #1 Posted by Leonard Adcock on 11 Dec 2009, 3:11 p.m. I am trying to revive an HP85B to use as a controller for an old V curve tracer. The tape drive seems to be OK and has a good capstan roller, but it gives a STALL error 74 every time I issue a CAT, CTAPE or ERASETAPE command. I managed to find a second tape drive and that one gives the same error. The tape indicator light comes on (briefly) and the tape give a little jump and then the error occurs. Anybody got any ideas about what is going on and how to fix it?

Re: HP 85B tape drive Message #2 Posted by Rik Bos on 12 Dec 2009, 3:42 p.m., in response to message #1 by Leonard Adcock Hi, The stall error is problably caused by a hanging tape, or due to loosing magnetic coating from the mylar carrier. Check your tape for blank spots wher the coating is removed. This is a problem for a lot of original HP tapes, #M tapes lasts longer. -Rik

Re: HP 85B tape drive Message #3 Posted by Leonard Adcock on 14 Dec 2009, 4:02 p.m., in response to message #2 by Rik Bos I am using some new tapes I got from Athana. They are supposed to be direct replacements for the original. There seems to be a bit of drag when I move the drive wheel with a finger. Which 3M tape do you have in mind? Is it the DC1000?

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