TOPS-20 Commands Reference Manual
UNLOAD
Rewinds a magnetic tape until it is returned completely to the source reel, and puts the associated tape drive offline. Use UNLOAD only for tapes mounted on drives having device names of the form MTAn:.
Format
@UNLOAD (DEVICE) dev:
where:
| dev: | is the name of the magnetic tape drive that you want to unload. |
Restrictions
UNLOAD With Open Files
If you have given a CTRL/C to exit from a program that has opened a magnetic tape drive and you then gave the UNLOAD command for that tape drive, the system will first ask if you want to close the associated file. You must do so for UNLOAD to succeed, but you will probably be unable to continue the program from that point because the file will now be closed.
UNLOAD Not for MOUNTed Drives
Use the UNLOAD command for tape drives obtained with the ASSIGN command. Use DISMOUNT for a tape drive obtained with MOUNT.
Warning
Cannot Access Tape Again
The UNLOAD command makes it impossible to access your tape again unless it is reloaded by the operator.
Related Commands
| ASSIGN | for assigning a tape drive to your job |
| DISMOUNT | for unloading tapes mounted on devices of the form MTn: |
| REWIND | for rewinding a magnetic tape volume or tape set to its load point (logical beginning) |
Example
- Unload your magnetic tape from drive MTA0:.
@UNLOAD MTA0: