Patent ID: 7019931
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A tape drive apparatus in which a tape serving as a recording medium is drawn out of a cartridge accommodating the tape, the drawn tape made to run so as to be wound on a tape takeup reel provided in a tape drive apparatus body and a recording/reproducing operation performed by winding the tape drawn out of said cartridge around a rotary head drum, said tape drive apparatus comprising: a prethreading mechanism for bringing the tape into contact with said rotary head drum before the tape is completely wound around said rotary head drum, wherein dew condensation on said rotary head drum is detected by rotating said rotary head drum during a state in which the tape is brought by said prethreading mechanism into contact with said rotary head drum, and wherein said prethreading mechanism has a folding two-stage arm, and wherein the tape is brought into contact with said rotary head drum by extending said two-stage arm.