Hello,
I just bought my second 82161A tape drive on EBay.
I received it, cleaned the head and I tried to test it. But the behavior of the unit is strange.
I have one tape which was written by someone else and I can read from that tape without any problem.
But when I am trying to format a new tape (NEWM 064 for example) I am getting "MEDM ERR" message.
When I am trying to write something on the tape, where already are some programs, the WRTP is without any error message and the written file name can be seen in the DIRecory listing. But when I am trying to VERIFY it or read it with READP, I am getting "MEDM ERR".
But I can delete the file with PURGE without any problem.
Also, sometimes when I am trying DIR, I get the "MEDM ERR" message, but when I try the DIR once more, I get the listing without a problem.
Anyone have some idea what can be wrong ? I tried several tapes.
Also, when I bought my first unit almost two years ago, I had (and still have) the similar problem with the first unit. Tapes can be read, but not written.
Is it possible that something is wrong with my HP-IL module ? Or maybe the head of the new unit is magnetised ? Or some mechanical problem ?