DAT bulk erase

[Donald_AV]

Found some DAT data tapes. Instead of trashing them I want to list them on eBay but not without doing something about any data on them. If I use a bulk eraser on them are they still usable again? Not sure if there is any kind of special pre-formatting on them that the bulk erase would destroy.

 

[Ralston18]

What do you mean by "bulk eraser"?

We used to wipe tapes via destructive magnetic fields.

As usual, details matter.

Start with the following link:

https://community.hpe.com/t5/StoreEver-Tape-Storage/How-to-erase-Data-DAT-tape-to-reuse-as-Audio-DAT-tape/td-p/4463316

Should not be anything "special" involved. More an issue of finding and applying the correct tools.

 

[Donald_AV]

This bulk eraser. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Realistic-Bulk-Tape-Eraser-44-232-/273046474074

I found it is strong enough to do 2 floppies at a time.

 

[Ralston18]

Perhaps.

Floppies may be "coincidental".....

However, tapes (beyond "cassettes) are a different matter.

Realistic (Radio Shack?)

All you can really do/try is to erase the tapes and reformat. If the tape then reads as all "zero's", empty, whatever, then the tape is clean and you can sell the tape in good conscience. Try three passes just to be sure.

 

[Donald_AV]

My problem is I don’t have a DAT drive anymore. I will just give them a double dose and list them.

Perhaps.

Floppies may be "coincidental".....

However, tapes (beyond "cassettes) are a different matter.

Realistic (Radio Shack?)

All you can really do/try is to erase the tapes and reformat. If the tape then reads as all "zero's", empty, whatever, then the tape is clean and you can sell the tape in good conscience. Try three passes just to be sure.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

This bulk eraser. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Realistic-Bulk-Tape-Eraser-44-232-/273046474074

I found it is strong enough to do 2 floppies at a time.

I've used that very item for years (decades now) to wipe floppies, tapes, the occasional Zip disk, etc. Just make sure not to leave it energized for more than 10-15 seconds at a time and let it cool down for at least 45 seconds or so between uses. Now it doesn't work well at all with the larger tape cartridges, such as LTO Ultrium.