Abstract: A product according to one embodiment includes a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; the organic coating on the applicator portion of the tape; and a lubricant on a data portion of the tape. A product according to another embodiment includes a tape having a data portion along a portion of a length thereof, and a cleaning portion along another portion of the length of the tape, the cleaning portion being for removing an organic coating from a magnetic head. A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having a removable organic coating thereon in an amount sufficient for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials.

Abstract: In a magnetic head cleaning mechanism applicable to a magnetic tape apparatus using a threading system, a cleaning member is placed at a cleaning position with high precision without excessively pushing the cleaning member. For this purpose, an arm to move a cleaning bristle to clean a magnetic head is disposed at a position on a side of the magnetic head relative to a threader track. The bristle moves through a moving path guided by a cam groove. The bristle first moves toward the threader track and then toward the cleaning position in front of the magnetic head. During the movement to approach the magnetic head through the moving path, the bristle does not exceed the cleaning position.

Abstract: A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be included for self-characterization.