18 Feb
1999
18 Feb
'99
4:08 p.m.
Eric Smith wrote:
Isn't it just a standard DC-100 cartridge? AFAIK, those are still being
made. Of course, it's undoubtedly cheaper to get them at a hamfest.
Unfortunately some HP systems (and some other vendors' systems as well)
require preformatted tapes. I hope the HP-85 doesn't need that.
I'm told that the HP 9133 (or was it 9144?) does.
The DC-100 cartridges are not preformatted, and will work in the HP-85,
9815, 9825, etc. The 9144 (and 9145) require a preformatted DC-600 style
cartridge. The 9142 can format a blank DC-600 cartridge, but the format
is not compatible with the 9144/9145.
One caveat on buying used DC-100 tapes: when the tapes are stored for a
long time and not regularly wound and rewound, the "rubber band" inside
the cartridge (that actually moves the tape) can damage the oxide and
cause it to lift from the tape backing. Usually the oxide comes off the
BOT area of the cartridge, and not only does this remove the directory
area, but the now transparent area of the tape confuses the EOT sensors
and makes the tape totally unusable. Probably 90% or more of the HP-85
and HP 9825 tapes I've found at swap meets are damaged in this manner.
Even tapes that have never been used and are still shrink wrapped may be
damaged in this way if they're old enough.
Stan
What about
the cartridges?
They can be found. There were some on E-bay recently. They turn up at
hamfest and surplus outlets.