> This is not directly NetBSD-related, but anyway.. How to load a tape
> in a TU80? I tried to follow the instructions on a sticker located
> underneath the hatch, but every time I pushed "Load" button, the drive
> rotated both spindles for a while, then filled it's internals with
> tape and gave an error code on the front panel display. Because I
> received my unit without any manuals, I have no idea about how to load
> the tape past the magnetic heads. Other information about the drive is
> welcomed, too.

A couple of gotchas that might get a neophyte:

1.  You have to wind several turns of tape around the takeup reel.
    Enough that if you turn it forward, it pulls tape from the supply
    reel.

2.  The hub latch on the supply reel has to be closed (pressed down)

Normally, if you didn't do either of the two above the load would fail
without spewing much tape around.  If you're doing it right (and there
aren't all that many ways to goof it up) and it's still spewing tape,
then there's a problem with the reel servos, the air bearings/sensors,
or the logic board.  During the load do you hear the blower come on for
the air bearings?  The blower and the SCR that drives it are common
hardware failures.

If you tell us the error code you're getting on the display, it *WILL*
help a lot.  Unlike many modern products, those error codes DO ACTUALLY
MEAN SOMETHING!

Tim.