Abstract: According to one aspect and example, a method is provided for handling write protected storage devices. The method includes generating a read signal from a portion of a magnetic storage medium and determining if a modulation pattern is present in the read signal, the modulation pattern associated with an identification mark comprising a pattern of indicia associated with a recording layer of the magnetic storage medium. The identification mark indicates that the storage medium is a write protected storage device (e.g., a write-once-read-many “WORM” storage device or the like). If the storage medium is write protected, a media drive is restricted from write operations to the storage medium according to the particular write protected scheme, e.g., WORM, write append only, or the like.

Abstract: A data storage tape device is provided, including: a housing; a tape medium contained in the housing; and a human-perceivable shock indicator having a default status and a disrupted status, the shock indicator switching from the default status to the disrupted status in response to a shock event such that the disrupted status of the shock indicator is human-perceivable. A method of determining a status of a data storage tape device is provided, including: receiving a data storage tape device comprising a housing, a tape medium contained in the housing, and a human-perceivable shock indicator having a default status and a disrupted status, the shock indicator switching from the default status to the disrupted status in response to a shock event such that the disrupted status of the shock indicator is human-perceivable; and perceiving a status of the shock indicator using an unaided human sense.

Abstract: A system for calibrating servo marks formed in a tape medium includes an emitter for directing a beam of radiation toward the medium to form one or more servo marks. A detector detects the images of the marks, and determines one or more parameters of the marks. The controller adjusts power of the radiation beam based on the parameters.

Abstract: A memory peripheral, such as a tape cartridge, providing primary data storage and a receptacle for one or more auxiliary memory elements is provided. The primary data storage may be a tape media or other memory media. The memory peripheral is adapted to dock with a drive and allows the drive to communicate with both the primary data storage and the auxiliary memory elements. The memory peripheral may include a contact interface, such as an optical fiber interface, for communicating between the host and the auxiliary memory element. The memory elements may be removable. The memory element may provide sufficient data storage for storage of thumbnail images and/or other compressed or abbreviated data that is derived from data stored in the primary data storage.