Tape Drive Cleaning Frequency (AIT)

[Jim Ray]

> |[Jim Ray sez:] you clean 'em regularly if you want the device to work.
> 
> 
> Could some people chime in with their definitions of regularly?  My
> particular configuration uses AIT-3 media - and all AIT drives contain a
> built-in automatic head cleaner.  I'm currently using a cleaning tape once
> a
> month, but I've read recommendations that span from 1 week to 6 months.
> Any
> thoughts?
[Jim Ray sez:] for the daily backup on DDS, I ran cleaning tape each week
unless I forgot a week.  For the daily backup on DLT, I ran cleaning tape
whenever device made wicked beep and turned on LED on front panel.