Bad Travan Data Cartridge or Drive?

[Mark StJohn]

I back up using a Colorado 14GB alternating two Travan Data cartidges. My most recent attempt the 1st Travan seemed to "rewind" endlessly and I eventually had to remove it while still active. The tape was no long visible and I assumed broke. I used second Travan...same result. I wonder if it is the tapes or drive? If it is the drive, I don't want to waste time etc getting new cartidge only to get destroyed etc! I also wonder if cartridges can be salvaged. They appear to be screwed together. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[Lewis Finch]

Mark,

If you look inside the front of your tape drive where the tape goes in you will see a very tiny lens on the left side. This is the end of tape sensor and sometimes becomes dirty.
Take a can of compressed air and blow this area out. Be careful not to spray ober the read write head (on the right) as this can cause damage.