Appendix D: The Tape Cartridge
Quantum DLT 7000 Tape Drive D-9
• Move the write-protect switch to the right to disable write protection
(existing data on the tape can be overwritten, and/or additional data can be
appended to the media unless the cartridge is write-protected via software).
When write-protect is disabled, no orange rectangle is visible.
When a tape cartridge is loaded in the drive and the tape cartridge’s write-protect
switch is moved to its write-protected position (to the left as you face the label/
switch side of the tape cartridge), the drive turns on its write-protect indicator
immediately. If the drive is currently writing to the tape, the write-protect feature
does not take effect until after the current WRITE operation completes.
Table D-1 Write-Protect Switch Positions
Write-Protect Switch
Position
Orange
Indicator
Result
Before Loading the Cartridge
Enabled
(Slide switch to left)
Visible Data cannot be written to the tape.
Existing data on the tape cannot be overwritten.
Additional data cannot be appended to the media.
Disabled
(Slide switch to right)
Not
visible
Unless the cartridge is write-protected via software:
Data can be written to the tape.
Existing data on the tape can be overwritten.
Additional data can be appended to the media.
After Loading the Cartridge and During Operation
If the write-protect switch
is moved from its right
(disabled) position to its
left (enabled) position.
Visible If the drive is currently writing to tape, the write-
protect feature does not take effect until AFTER the
current WRITE operation completes.
If the write-protect switch
is moved from its left
(enabled) to its right
(disabled) position.
Not
visible
The tape becomes write-enabled AFTER a variable
amount of seconds.