Patent ID: 6871810

Claim:
A computer system comprising: a tape drive having a tape pack mode of operation, the tape drive including a drive mechanism operable up to a maximum speed; and a tape controller for controlling the drive mechanism, the controller being operable during the tape pack mode to control the drive mechanism to perform a complete tape unwind and then performs complete tape rewind following the tape unwind, the tape rewind being performed without performing a tape read or tape write; and a computer for commanding the tape drive to operate in the tape pack mode and for commanding the tape drive to go into a wait state following completion of the tape pack mode; wherein the tape drive is capable of issuing a signal indicating when a tape pack is finished; and wherein the computer includes a program for displaying a user prompt to remove tape from the tape drive after the signal has been issued; whereby a magnetic tape may be removed from the tape drive while the tape drive is in the wait state.