1401/729 Tape Rebuild Project.

by Allen Palmer
- as of June 29, 2004

Each drive is to have its own log book

1. Resolve ‘power’ question!
2. Locate ‘work area’ & tool storage
3. Inspect exterior of each drive.
   1. Identify that which will require only cleaning
   2. Identify that which will require ‘in-house’ restoration
   3. Identify that which will require offsite/professional restoration
   4. Identify that which will require replacement
4. Remove all outer panels, doors, gates (identify to which drive each part goes)
5. Vacuum inside to allow for inspection.
6. Visual examination & evaluation of inside parts.
   1. Belts, pulleys, filters, motors, cards, & card gates, prolays, capstans, R/W heads, vacuum switches, vacuum columns
   2. Identify that which will require only cleaning
   3. Identify that which will require ‘in-house’ restoration
   4. Identify that which will require offsite/professional restoration
   5. Identify that which will require replacement
7. Develop a written report rating each part on a scale of 1 – 10
8. Develop & present an overview of tape drive mechanical operation
9. Develop a restoration plan
   1. Serial vs parallel restoration?
   2. Sub specialty teams?
   3. Develop ‘flow chart’ of restoration plan
      1. Pre-power
         1. remove & label all SMS cards
         2. exam wire-wraps & SMS contacts
         3. remove ‘head’ units & inspect for W&T
         4. remove, clean & restore capstans / prolays /idlers
         5. remove ‘heavy duty capacitors for rebuild.
      2. Post power
         1. test basic operations
         2. check reel clutches (is ‘powder’ still good)
         3. apply ‘signal’ & check R/W head adjustments
         4. Complete stand-alone testing
      3. System integration
         1. cable up to 1401 ( one drive at a time)
         2. write to tape
         3. read from tape
         4. start to ‘link’ tape drives together & test 1 by 1
10. Go have a beer & hope they never find another one.