Patent ID: 8773805

Claim:
A method for increasing tape media life using a processor device, a tape media including a longitudinal position-2 (LP-2) tape section, a longitudinal position-3 (LP-3) tape section, and a longitudinal position-4 (LP-4) tape section, wherein one or more of the LP-2, LP-3, and LP-4 tape sections include one or more of calibration and data areas, the method comprising: controlling a turn around point (TAP) on the tape media for reducing damage to the tape media caused by debris by: monitoring all tape media motion; if the tape media is targeted to have a TAP on the tape media between the LP-2 tape section and the LP-3 tape section, designating the TAP to be a first location located prior to the LP-2 tape section; if an end of a tape wrap of the tape media is reached, designating the TAP to be the first location located prior to the LP-2 tape section; and adjusting tape deceleration for maintaining the TAP to be located at the first location located prior to the LP-2 tape section.