Tx857 Series Magazine Tape Subsystem Owner's Manual

This document is the Owner's Manual for the Digital Equipment Corporation Tx857 Series Magazine Tape Subsystem (models TF857 and TZ857), published in November 1991.

Its primary purpose is to introduce the Tx857 series of magazine tape subsystems and describe their operating procedures.

The Tx857 is an electromechanical device capable of storing approximately 18.2 gigabytes of data using CompacTape III cartridges (2.6 GB per cartridge). It supports unattended backup and automatic sequential tape operations, connecting to VAX systems via DSSI (TF857) or SCSI (TZ857) buses. The manual emphasizes that the subsystem is not customer-installable.

The manual is structured into several key sections:

• Overview: Provides a general description of the subsystem, its configuration (installation in SF200/SF100 or SZ100 storage arrays, VMS operating system support), major hardware components (loader transfer assembly, magazine, TK85 tape drive, controller module), and specifications. It also details the CompacTape III cartridges and their compatibility.
• Operation: Explains the power-on process, the functions of the Operator Control Panel (OCP) pushbuttons (Eject, Load/Unload, Slot Select), and the four operating modes (OCP Disabled, Automatic, Manual, and Service). It includes instructions for handling cartridges and the magazine.
• TF857 Local Programs: Describes diagnostic programs and utilities specific to the TF857 subsystem, accessible via the SET HOST/DUP command, for testing and verifying functionality (e.g., DIRECT, HISTRY, PARAMS, DRVEXR, DRVTST, LDRTST).
• Error Conditions and Problem Resolutions: Details conditions required for button operation, common causes of backup failures, and descriptions of "Magazine Faults" (often user-correctable inconsistencies) and "Loader Faults" (fatal errors typically requiring service), along with basic troubleshooting steps.
• Head Cleaning: Provides two methods for cleaning the read/write heads using a CleaningTape III cartridge, either by loading it directly into the drive or through the magazine.

Appendices include a reference for VMS Operating System Commands used with tape devices (ALLOCATE, BACKUP, MOUNT, COPY, DISMOUNT, INITIALIZE) and a listing of Service Offerings from Digital Equipment Corporation.

The manual is intended for system managers, computer operators, and anyone who uses magazine tape subsystems, requiring prior knowledge of the VMS operating system and tape devices.