3 Common Causes of Tape Drive Data Loss
3 Common Causes of Tape Drive Data Loss are: 1) Corrupted data. 2) Physical damage and 3) Software incompatibility. Read More!
Although tape drives have been around for quite some time, they are still widely used because of their relatively high cost-effectiveness and dependability. For a lot of companies, keeping a tape drive backup system in the office is just the simplest and most efficient way to store important data.
Understanding Tape Drive Data Loss

But, as with all forms of storage media, tape drive depreciates. That means a tape data recovery is sometimes inevitable. Usually, the cause can be traced to one of three different problems:
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Corrupted data
Data from a tape drive can be corrupted in a number of different ways, including accidental formatting, manufacturing defects, or simple degradation over time. This is often the most gradual form of data loss, and one of the easiest to deal with if recognized quickly. -
Physical damage to the tape drive
Fires, floods, or simple mishandling can all cause physical damage to the tape drive itself. Even in situations where tape drives have become heavily damaged, though, full or partial data recovery is usually possible. -
Software incompatibility
Because tape drives represent an older technology, and can come from several different manufacturers, it is possible for certain software packages to inadvertently fry them, or render them unreadable. However, using specialized tools, software, and expertise, the TTR team can get your information back.
Luckily, most tape drive data loss is reversible
If you have an experienced and reputable data recovery team on your side. When your hard drive fails, don’t delay… call TTR for fast, effective tape drive data recovery service.
How does a tape backup work?

A tape backup system is a practice used to ensure that there is way to restore data in case of a hard disk drive failure. Data from the primary storage is copied onto the tape cartridge either manually or through the help of a software that automates the process. Tape data backup system can be used to backup personal data or large data for archiving and disaster recovery or DR.
A tape drive is type of device that reads and writes data on thin plastic magnetic tapes. It resembles that of a cassette tape. Tape drive uses sequential access to read and write information; meaning, you have to run the tape from beginning to end.
Although, it cannot perform random access like a digital storage device can, it is a popular backup device of choice because it’s cost-efficient and can store data longer, making it ideal for backing up and archiving data.
Tape drive format and standards

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AIT or Advanced Intelligent Tape
This type of tape drive measures 8mm across. It uses helical scanning technique to improved the speed of access. AIT supports data transfer rates up to 78 MB/second with a maximum capacity of 500 GB by compressing data using the Adaptive Lossless Data Compression or ALDC technology. -
DAT or Digital Audio Tape
This type of tape drive measure 4mm across and can store about 40 GB of data with a transfer rate of 5 Mb/second. It is the standard medium used for digital recordings. Generally, a DAT drive can record data at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. -
DLT or Digital Linear Tape
Formerly called CompacTape, can store around 70 GB of data using compression while a super DLT or SDLT can have a capacity of about 300 GB with transfer speed of up to 36 MB/second. DLT uses linear serpentine, a variation of linear technology, which uses more tracks than the read/write heads. -
Linear Tape
Open of LTO utilizes an open-format technology, which means that users can access data from incompatible storage media sources. LTO can store up to 6.4 Terabytes of information with a transfer rate of 540 MB/second. -
Packet Tape
VXA packet tape drives can read and write data using digital packets, making data storing and archiving more secure. It comes in 8mm format and has a storage capacity of 33 GB up to 640 GB uncompressed or native data.

About the AuthorTommy Khamoushi, Data Recovery Expert
Tommy Khamoushi is an IACRB-certified Data Recovery Engineer and a Certified Forensic Computer Investigator. He has more than 20 years of experience in data recovery including providing technical support for the House of Representatives.
Tommy leads a team of data recovery engineers and experts at TTR Data Recovery to recover highly sensitive data for government agencies like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and enterprise businesses using advanced and proprietary techniques and processes.
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To the ttrdatarecovery.com administrator, You always provide great resources and references.