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Help with recovery of data on a 1/2" IBM antique computer tape

  • 1.  Help with recovery of data on a 1/2" IBM antique computer tape

    Posted Mon January 30, 2023 09:23 AM
    Good day:

    "Houston, we have a problem!"

    I have research data on biological populations which I'd like to recover from the 1/2" tape drive in which it's stored.  (The data is on the biological measurements and ages of American eel, Anguilla rostrata; if you're interested)

    The data is currently on 1/2" wide BASF ENDURA data tape.  "Tested for use at 800 BPI through 6250 BPI", however, I've no idea what the data density actually is.

    There is a label, on the back of the plastic reel, with the printing:  I3 288 2 L506 A4 06  The 06 is in larger type with the printing.  The plastic reel measures 10.5" in OD (Outside diameter).

    If it's any value, I also seem to have a copy of that data on another 10.5" diameter Tape, sold by SCOTCH 777 and stored at 1600 BPI.  This was the original tape on which the data was copied in April of 1981.  (I sense your eyebrows just raised!

    Here's the problem!  I cannot find a tape drive to read and recover the data contained on the Reel in my home province of Newfoundland & Labrador (NL), Canada.  Have you any suggestions where I might look to find an appropriate (antique?) tape drive reader, please? 

    Any advice on this question would be greatly appreciated.  

    Sincerely;
    Clar
    Clarence Button
    cebutton@gmail.com  or  clarencebutton@nlesd.ca



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