Abstract: Improved recovery of information from magnetic tapes is provided by storing information on the tapes in the form of a number of partitions, each containing a certain number of words. A check-sum word is included at the end of each partition. When data words are stored on the tape, each partition may be of a fixed maximum length. When program lines are stored on the tape, each partition is preferably of a length such that an integral number of program lines is included in each partition. When information is read from the tape, a comparison of a sum formed from the digits stored in a partition with the associated check-sum word forms the basis for detecting an error read within a partition. An error message may be generated to alert a user to the error, while only a small amount of information on the tape is affected.