A cartridge includes a tape-shaped nonwoven fabric, a reel on which the nonwoven fabric is wound, and a case that accommodates the reel. A basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is equal to or less than 25 g/m.sup.2.

A cartridge includes a tape-shaped nonwoven fabric, a reel on which the nonwoven fabric is wound, and a case that accommodates the reel. A basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is equal to or less than 25 g/m.sup.2.

A tape cartridge for use in cleaning a head assembly of a tape drive includes a cartridge housing and a tape that is retained within the cartridge housing. The tape includes a cleaning section having a tape surface and an abrasive coating that is coupled to the tape surface. The tape has a tape thickness of between approximately three microns and seven microns. The abrasive coating has a surface roughness of at least approximately two nanometers.

A magnetic storage apparatus includes a disk-shaped magnetic recording medium, a motor which drives and rotates the magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head, including a first magnetic head element which reads information from the magnetic recording medium, and a second magnetic head element which writes information to the magnetic recording medium, and a bias circuit which supplies a predetermined bias voltage to the first magnetic head element. The magnetic recording medium has a laminated structure including a magnetic layer disposed above a substrate, and a carbon protective layer disposed above the magnetic layer. The bias circuit supplies to the first magnetic head element a voltage which is in a range of −0.2 V to −1.0 V with respect to a potential of the magnetic recording medium.

A magnetic storage apparatus includes a disk-shaped magnetic recording medium, a motor which drives and rotates the magnetic recording medium, a magnetic head, including a first magnetic head element which reads information from the magnetic recording medium, and a second magnetic head element which writes information to the magnetic recording medium, and a bias circuit which supplies a predetermined bias voltage to the first magnetic head element. The magnetic recording medium has a laminated structure including a magnetic layer disposed above a substrate, and a carbon protective layer disposed above the magnetic layer. The bias circuit supplies to the first magnetic head element a voltage which is in a range of −0.2 V to −1.0 V with respect to a potential of the magnetic recording medium.

A tape cartridge for use in cleaning a head assembly of a tape drive includes a cartridge housing and a tape that is retained within the cartridge housing. The tape includes a cleaning section having a tape surface and an abrasive coating that is coupled to the tape surface. The tape has a tape thickness of between approximately three microns and seven microns. The abrasive coating has a surface roughness of at least approximately two nanometers.

A tape cartridge for use in cleaning a head assembly of a tape drive includes a cartridge housing and a tape that is retained within the cartridge housing. The tape includes a cleaning section having a tape surface and an abrasive coating that is coupled to the tape surface. The tape has a tape thickness of between approximately three microns and seven microns. The abrasive coating has a surface roughness of at least approximately two nanometers.

A heat generating component of a slider is energized at a predetermined frequency. The heat generating component changes a spacing between a medium and the slider. A temperature response proximate a media-facing surface of the slider is measured while the heating element is energized. Based on the measured temperature response, a determination is made as to whether the media-facing surface is contaminated. In response to determining that the media-facing surface is contaminated, remedial action is taken.

A heat generating component of a slider is energized at a predetermined frequency. The heat generating component changes a spacing between a medium and the slider. A temperature response proximate a media-facing surface of the slider is measured while the heating element is energized. Based on the measured temperature response, a determination is made as to whether the media-facing surface is contaminated. In response to determining that the media-facing surface is contaminated, remedial action is taken.

In order to reduce the possibility of occurrence of retraction of a cleaning member during cleaning of a magnetic head and the possibility of the cleaning member not being able to return to a retraction position due to stopping part way, the cleaning enabling device is provided with: a holding member having a first surface capable of holding the cleaning member for cleaning the magnetic head, and a second surface capable of lifting a magnetic tape from the magnetic head; a transmission part which transmits a first driving force for driving a first driving member; and a first force application part which applies, to the holding member, a first force in a direction that causes the cleaning member to remain in the retraction position when the cleaning member is in the retraction position and releases the first force when the cleaning member is drawn away from the retraction position.