Abstract: A method, system and program for measuring magnetic tape track distortion are provided. The invention comprises defining specifications for tape track distortion acceptability and using tape head servo readers to collect component position error signal (PES) data from servo tracks on a magnetic tape. The separate PES data are analyzed to determine tape distortion. The data can also be adjusted for reliability factors that might affect the confidence of the PES data. The distortion data for the tape is then compared to the defined specifications and a determination is made as to whether the tape meets acceptability standards.

Abstract: The present invention provides two methods, apparatus, and computer instructions for controlling tape movement in a tape drive system. In the first method, the direction of tape movement is determined with respect to a file reel and a machine reel. If the direction of tape movement is toward the file reel, the tape is moved using machine reel control, and if the direction of tape movement is toward the machine reel, the tape is moved using file reel control. In the second method, the size of a file reel, designated as the file radius, and the size of a machine reel, designated as the machine radius, are determined. If the machine radius is smaller than the file radius, tape motion is carried out using machine reel control, and if the file radius is equal to or smaller than the machine radius, tape motion is carried out using file reel control.

Abstract: A method, system and program for measuring magnetic tape track distortion are provided. The invention comprises defining specifications for tape track distortion acceptability and using tape head servo readers to collect component position error signal (PES) data from servo tracks on a magnetic tape. The separate PES data are analyzed to determine tape distortion. The data can also be adjusted for reliability factors that might affect the confidence of the PES data. The distortion data for the tape is then compared to the defined specifications and a determination is made as to whether the tape meets acceptability standards.