HP 82176A Data Mini Cassette Problems

[rprosperi]

As noted, yes those are the symptoms of tapes with loose pressure pads. The repair is a bit fidgety, but pretty easy overall, and works pretty much every time.

It is strange, sometimes with a box of 10 unopened tapes, all seemingly having endured the same conditions, some have the loose pad problem, while others seem to work and keep on working.