Two ideas: - Is data security erase implemented? I seem to recall that can delay the apparent completion of a tape mount. - I believe that the 3480-type drive would "sense the tension" of the newly-inserted tape's supply-reel and, if the drive thought the supply-reel was not properly wound, it would space to the end of the tape and rewind again. The purpose was to ensure that the tension across the R/W head was acceptable. I gather this was needed since the old 3420-type vacuum loops were essentially gone. Never having seen the inside of a 3590 I don't know if this is still required.
PS: It's interesting that the computer room in ABC television series "Lost" seems to continue to use 3420 tape drives. One might solve the entire question about the obscure plot-line of the show if someone simply asked the IBM SE what was going on, and how long it's been since the tape heads were cleaned. -----Original Message----- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Nielsen Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 2:08 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Excessive 3590 load-to-ready time The normal load-to-ready time for tape cartridges on a 3590 B11 is 23 seconds according to the specs, and most of my cartridges do load in abou= t that time. However, I have some cartridges that take over 5.5 minutes! = They are outwardly identical to those with normal load-to-ready times. = After they load they work just fine, so they're not "bad" in that sense. = They are all type "J" cartridges. Anyone have any insight into why some = cartridges would have these excessive load-to-ready times and how to correct it? Brian Nielsen
