Method for reducing occurrences of tape stick conditions in magnetic tape

A method for preventing tape stick conditions in magnetic tape, the method comprising:

• stopping functional rotation of each of two bi-directionally rotatable reels of a reel-to-reel tape drive that includes a length of magnetic tape at least partially wound around each reel, a portion of said length of tape extending between said two moveable reels and contacting a head positioned in an original contact position between said two reels;
• wherein said stopping creates a stop condition in said tape drive;
• actuating a first fractional rotation of at least one of said two bi-directionally movable reels a fraction of a reel turn in a first direction after a pre-determined period of time from a start of said stop condition;
• causing said portion of said length of tape to at least temporarily break contact with said head via said first rotation;
• waiting said predetermined period of time from said first fractional rotation and actuating a second fractional rotation of at least one of said two bi-directionally movable reels said fraction of a reel turn in an opposite direction during said stop condition;
• causing said portion of said length of tape to at least temporarily break contact with said head via said second rotation;
• alternatingly repeating said first rotation and said second rotation of said reels in said first direction and said opposite direction after each successive occurrence of said period of time during said stop condition;
• re-starting functional rotation of each of said reels, ending said stop condition via said re-starting;
• storing said original contact position in drive memory;
• and.
• returning said portion of said length of tape to said original contact position prior to said re-starting.