[rescue] Reading QIC tapes

[Doug McIntyre]

On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 11:08:10AM -0700, Alan Perry via rescue wrote:
> Reading always returns 0 records read. After rewinding, skipping reports the tape is at the end. Writing, after detecting the write protect was enabled and changing that, returns I/O error. Tried four different tapes with labels indicating something on them and got the same results.


Are you sure the tensioning band inside the tape cartridge hasn't
broken? You'll get 0 records read if the tape isn't moving.
This is a very common issue for the older QIC tapes. 

Here's a replacement option. 
https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/qic-tape-cartridge-tension-band-replacement-plastibands.64987/