I have an HPE Ultrium LTO-8 drive, and unfortunately, an LTO-7 tape got stuck inside because it broke off from the cartridge. The tape is wound around the spindle and I can't spin it back to remove it. The drive is out of warranty by three years, and I need it to function again since I plan to use it as a secondary drive after purchasing a new LTO-9 drive. I've logged a support call with HPE, but I'm not counting on that, so I'm hoping to find other local repair options in the Boston area.
5 Answers
Since it's out of warranty, you could try to open it up yourself for repairs. I once used a service called BackupWorks, but they weren’t able to fix my drive. They’re based in Minnesota, so it might not be the best option since it cost me just for shipping.
Have you checked out DriveSavers? They're located in Cambridge and might be worth a shot.
Why is it important where the shop is? The shipping distance to a UPS store is the same no matter where you send it.
I prefer a local place for repairs, if possible, instead of having to ship it away.
You might want to try unplugging the drive and powering it on while holding the eject button. That sometimes helps force it out. If that doesn't work, local VHS or hi-fi repair shops could be a good bet for repairs.
I've actually removed it from the rack mount and manually ejected the cartridge, so I know the tape is still fully wrapped on the spindle.
You could also try Marconi in Beverly, MA. Just a heads-up, it may be pricier, but these kinds of repairs are typically not cheap.
I’ve looked inside already and I might consider opening it further, but it's pretty complex, and I don't want to make things worse.