Abstract: Ascertaining through integration a bias calibration level for a current control loop of a driver motor of a tape drive. The driver motor includes a current controller having as inputs a demand signal, a bias signal, and a feedback signal. The current controller includes an integrator coupled to the output. The method includes setting the demand signal to a zero current level, setting the bias signal to a level that substantially prevents the integrator from driving itself high, stepping down the bias signal to form a stepped down bias signal, measuring a sense parameter at the output of the current controller, determining whether the sense parameter is high for the stepped down bias signal, and setting the bias calibration level to a level sufficiently above the stepped down bias signal such that the integrator is not driven high when the demand signal is set to the zero current level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading tape from a single reel tape cartridge into a take-up reel. The hub filler is securely and releaseably attached to the take-up reel upon the hub filler entering the take-up reel. This attachment provides adequate securement between the hub filler and the take-up reel for the tape to be wrapped around the take-up reel during loading of the tape without the hub filler partially ejecting from the take-up reel. By preventing the hub filler from partially ejecting from the take-up reel, damage to the tape and the tape drive loading mechanism is mitigated. Upon unloading of the tape from the tape drive, the hub filler can be readily released from its attachment to the take-up reel.