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Full Version: Re: Recovering the data from Series80 tapes
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Hi,

This is a reply to vp's message of November 5 which is now inthe archive.

I also have some damaged HP-85 tapes, my thoughts were to punch some new holes inside of the damaged area (to become the new EOT / BOT markers). This probably is no good in helping to recover data, but would allow the tapes to be re-used.

Experiments so far have not been successful, I think a flat pin and die with sharp edges are needed:

| |
| | <- punch
+--+
------------- <- tape
----+ +-----
| | <- die
| |
| |

Regards,
John

John wrote:
> I also have some damaged HP-85 tapes, my thoughts were to punch
> some new holes inside of the damaged area (to become the
> new EOT / BOT markers). This probably is no good in helping to
> recover data, but would allow the tapes to be re-used.

HP tapes from that era are useless. Apart from recovering data that has survived on them over the years, such tapes are totally unreliable.

On most tapes I have looked at, the tape itself is sticking onto itself and the elastic band that is maintaining tension has deteriorated.

Even if you manage to get the tape working, it will prob. fail after a couple of read/write cycles.

I would strongly recommend leaving such tapes alone in case we can come up with some way of reading their contents.

**vp