Sad but funny!

[Comerwebs]

So this is a funny story but it is a true story. I was called to a major beer makers data center in St. Louis on Friday to repair a Tape drive and a I/O Loader in a IBM 3494 tape library. I dropped a screw and the bit into the library and was trying to get it without entering it of course. ONE of this companies Engineers walks by and asks me what I'm doing on all fours digging around the access patch. I explain and he quickly offers to go get a large magnet he keeps on a stick for just such occasions. I looked at him as if he had 3 heads and it took him a solid minute to realize why that was a bad idea! Mind you his job is to maintain these libraries...

 

[frase]

Um..you dropped screws and a bit into hardware - what kit are you using, seriously? The engineer sounds like was being a smart arse lol.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Magnetic screw drivers my friend. That's what is be using.

 

[Altster]

Magnetic screw drivers my friend. That's what is be using.

Not around magnetic tape, you shouldn't!

I would use scotch tape to secure the bits inside the driver first then tape the screw(s) to the driver - if that is the only way to keep from dropping hardware inside the unit.

 

[BlackLabTechs]

I would have offered some BDR and online backup with the major benefit they wouldn't get "screwed".

 

[Altster]

I would have offered some BDR and online backup with the major benefit they wouldn't get "screwed".

.....brings a new meaning to "screw you!"

 

[Just Larry]

Sounds like the engineer was taking the mick.

 

[Comerwebs]

Um..you dropped screws and a bit into hardware - what kit are you using, seriously? The engineer sounds like was being a smart arse lol.

The non magnetic kind obviously... I normally do tape my bits for work in these situations but this was a rush job and I got in a hurry.

 

[Just Larry]

I normally do tape my bits for work

Sounds painful

 

[gdeswart]

Crawling around on all fours? I would have just assumed you got lost on the brewery tour.

 

[MDD1963]

The little tiny magnet on a flexible stick for grabbing screws is not going to damage anything; it is not as if he is proposing using a tape erasing-sized/degaussing tool.....