Iomega Ditto Drive eats tapes.

[Holbrook]

I have had an Iomega Ditto drive for about 3 years. I have only used it a few times - made about 10 backups on 3 tapes. The next time I tried to use it it broke the tape. Looks like it has wound the tape a;; the way to one end and not stopped. like an idiot I tried to use it with my second backup tape. It worked OK the first time but then did the same thing about two weeks later. I tried to contact Iomega - looked on bulletin boards etc. Everyone seems to concentrate on Jazz drives. Any suggestions? I suspect it will not be worth taking it in to be repaired unless it is a known defect which can be repaired simply.

[Banti]

Had a similar problem... rather the same problem. Iomega told me to clean a sensor in the drive with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. If you look on the busted tapes there are a series of holes in the tape to signal the end. The IR sensor in the drive failed to "see" these and the drive continued to rewind the tape until it broke. Try cleaning the sensor, if you open the drive bay door you should be able to see it on the bottom on the left hand side. If you need more assistance ... post away... that is why we are all here...

Good Luck,
Banti

[Holbrook]

Thanks, I'll try that. I am a bit wary about using my last tape to see if it has worked! Any way of repairing the old tapes? You would have thought that they would have a clutch or a motor stall sensor to prevent this problem. I am amazed that you got a response from Iomega at all.

[Banti]

You can repair old tapes. I cannot remember all of the instuctions...

There are three screws on the bottom to remove....

I remember stripping a screw so be careful...

The tape itself simply winds around the spindle. There is no grove or catch for the tape. So, in essence that tape has not broken, but simply come undone.

I had this problem 8 months into the warranty... by law they had to talk to me.

Let me know how it turns out.

Banti http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Banti]

Any luck??

[Holbrook]

Sorry for the delay. i had trouble getting back on line. I have found the detector - has a clear plastic cover with a small 'lens' moulded on it. Tried to open up the tape cassette but my son has borrowed my good small Phillips screw driver and none of my other drivers would work! Also I have been trying to fix my son's friends PC and fit a CD ROM on an old 486. Then the neighbour brought his TV round and I had that in pieces. On top of all that I had to go back to work. How people find enough time to do all this and post on bulletin boards I do not know!
I am sure it is either a dirty or faulty detector and I will get around to fixing it - I hope. Will email you when I am successful or otherwise. Thanks again for your help.