We have a two-year-old Bruker DPX400 running (should that be walking?) on an
Aspect Station. The 4mm Hewlettt-Packard DAT tape drive fitted to this computer
is the only means of loading programs and saving data. After just two years of
very light use, I've had to fork out the better part of 1000 pounds to replace
the DAT, since it was declared beyond repair. (Presumably that means the fault
was undiagnosed in less than 15 minutes).
I used the DAT to load programs about once every nine months and to archive
data about once a month. Every time I used it it needed the head-cleaning tape
run through it at least twice, otherwise it would fail at some point during the
process.
I've heard rumours that two years is about the most you can expect from one of
these drives anyway. If so, it makes pretty abysmal value-for-money. Has anyone
else had this experience? What could you suggest to improve its longevity?
(Please don't suggest buying an Indy - if only...!)
Alan
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Dr A S F Boyd Chemistry Department
NMR Spectroscopist Heriot-Watt University
phone: +44-131-451 3214 Riccarton
fax: +44-131-451 3180 Edinburgh
cheasfb@bonaly.hw.ac.uk EH14 4AS
http://dava.che.hw.ac.uk/ Scotland
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