12/24GB DAT load problems.

[Paul Barham_2]

The answer to my question may already have appeared however I will ask the question again anyway.
Does anyone know the reason why I consistently see Compaq 12/24GB DAT drives fail to accept the tape after powering up the server. I have experienced this on a regular basis with drives from stock or those returned from our tape drive repairer. Cycling power to the drive fixes the problem but I don't have much confidence that it won't reoccur.
Other engineers that I have spoke to have seen this problem in the field and their recommendation to the customer was to power cycle the server.
Is this a design feature od the 12/24? (tic)