Strange magtape anecdote

[dave.g4ugm at gmail.com]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Jon Elson via
> cctalk
> Sent: 27 October 2020 14:51
> To: nico de jong <nico at farumdata.dk>; General at ezwind.net;
> Discussion at ezwind.net:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
> Subject: Re: Strange magtape anecdote
> 
> On 10/27/2020 12:50 AM, nico de jong via cctalk wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Back in the early 70's I was an operator on an IBM 360/40 with 4
> > tapedrives. Nobody could understand that sometimes a tape transfer
> > would stop saying "end of tape", mainly around 3 PM,
> It was also well-known that you should not allow flash pictures to be taken in
> the machine room, as ALL the tape drives would unload simultaneously when
> the flash went off.
> 
> Jon

I remember when doing standby power generator tests we had to remember to off-line all the drives at end of job, other wise they all tried to rewind at the same time....
.. and the generator could comfortably do two, stuttered a bit with three, but on the first test as the fourth flicked in there was a big "bang" and lots of flapping of tape, plus lots of cursing from our Site Engineer.,,,,

Dave