> Question 1.  Has anyone heard of the coating on the capstan turning sticky
> and gooey and coming off onto a tape?

Yes. The soft rubbery compound used for most tape capstans turns to
sticky mush with age. This goo used to be the capstan and is not
caused by the tape. A perfectly good capstan becomes chewing gum
after a decade or so whether it is in use or simply in storage.
Your 7980 doesn't have a capstan.... but the fingers used for
gripping the supply reel will go away.


> Question 2.  Has anyone had a similar problem where both the BOT and EOT
> indicators are lit at the same time?

This sounds like a description of the tape "odometer" and not actual
EOT or BOT indications. The odometer depicts the EOT, the BOT, and
tape between the two as a series of amber dashes. Actual EOT and
BOT indications are spelled out in big blue-green flourescent
letters in the same area where READY, LOADING, WRITING etc. appear.
Also MISLOAD might be displayed in this area.


> Question 4.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get the 7980 to
> unload the tape and open the door?

Try pressing RESET then UNLOAD. If this fails cycle the STANDBY
switch. If that fails open the top door and pull out the tape.



                            Bob J. -- Ideal Computer Services
                            http://www.icsgroup.com