Cassette tape data recovery

[Evan Linwood]

Thanks Rik - actually I don't have the tape yet & so don't know who the tape
manufacturer is. 
The tape is effectively a boot tape & will have been supplied by the
equipment manufacturer, so it's possible the original manufacturer may not
be clear.
I'm hoping it's not as long  as a std C60 or C90 (given the purpose),
shorter is definitely better :)
That's a good point about the gloves thx, as I'll need to check inside the
housing as the machine appears to have been outside for some time.
I'm imagining that old cassette tapes would need to be 'baked' for some time
prior to recovery, as for 9 track tapes - hoping to find out if anyone has
done this!


-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Rik Bos
Sent: Monday, 4 May 2015 9:26 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Cassette tape data recovery



> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] Namens Evan Linwood
> Verzonden: maandag 4 mei 2015 10:48
> Aan: cctalk at classiccmp.org
> Onderwerp: Cassette tape data recovery
> 
> 
> 
> I'm wondering if anyone on the list has much experience recovering 
> data
from
> old cassette tapes?
> 
> 
> 
> The tape to be read is a single cold-start tape that was found sitting 
> the
> B1900 system picked up by Noel Chiappa just recently.
> 
> 
> 
> Given the tape's importance, I'd rather not fry it or blow limited
opportunities by
> attempting it myself!
> 
> 
> 
> - Evan

If you're talking about compact cassettes, like C60/C90 or the data variant
like the Philips LGH 6003, they hold remarkable good.
I've some original HP cassettes for the HP 9830A which are from the early
seventies, all of them hold their data and are working perfect.
The only thing is the cushion which presses the tape to the head, sometimes
they used foam for those. You should replace them .
If you have a normal cassette recorder (old one) you could remove the head
and spool (slow speed) the tape some times to see if it's spools smoothly.
If it doesn't spool smoothly, open op the tape and replace the housing, that
should do the trick.
Copying will another problem because you will need a drive with the same
head configuration, you could try to use an audio card to digitize the tape
and store it for later use.
NB. Use gloves when you handle the tape, to prevent dead spots on the tape. 

-Rik