M4 9914 tape loading questions

[John Foust]

At 01:04 PM 1/19/2006, jim stephens wrote:
>first: removing the top of the reel was a bad idea.  It's parallel alignment to 
>the bottom of that reel is key to the proper function and handling of the tape.
>put it back on very carefully and pray.

It actually seems to be working better now, for what it's worth.  :-)
Yes, I replaced the lid in the same orientation with respect to 
its one large air hole.

I watched the process more closely.  Perhaps the tape *does* engage on
the takeup reel.  As it loads, it unrolls from the tape.  The tape seems
taut.  It feeds a bit from the reel to the takeup for a few seconds, then stops 
and rewinds back completely to the source reel.  Then the display says "N T U".

However, my slight suspicion is that it hadn't actually engaged
because the take-up reel seemed to be turning slightly more quickly
than the source reel - as if it hadn't "stuck".  

>shaped, and to have a nice flat leader once it wraps.  after a few turns of the takeup reel
>it should lock down.  The drive senses this change in motor torque and assumes the tape is
>captured.

My first guess for a tweak would've been to bend the leader slightly to
favor its wrapping around the takeup reel.

>Sometimes all you need to do is just wipe the first foot or so of tape on a reel with a clean cloth and try it again (assuming it is not wrecked or damaged). and it will work.

Clean, dry cloth?  To remove dust, reduce slickness or increase static?
Or a TexWipe?

- John