Archive 2150L 150MB QIC-02 5.25" HH Tape Drive P/N 22200-042 Rev A

Archive 2150L 150MB QIC-02 5.25" HH Tape Drive P/N 22200-042 Rev A

The Archive 2150L is a 5.25-inch half-height internal tape drive from Archive Corporation, designed for QIC-02 host interface connections and capable of storing up to 150 MB on QIC-150 format cartridges. This unit uses the QIC-02 parallel interface standard, which connects directly to a dedicated QIC-02 host adapter card inside the PC. The drive uses a capstan-and-pinch-roller transport mechanism to stream data to tape at fixed speed. Archive Corporation was a leading manufacturer of QIC tape drives during the 1980s and early 1990s, and the 2150L was a widely deployed model in IBM PC-compatible systems of that era.

Specifications & What's Included

• Brand: Archive Corporation
• Model: 2150L
• Part Number: 22200-042, Rev A
• Interface: QIC-02 (50-pin edge connector)
• Tape Format: QIC-150 / DC600-series cartridges
• Capacity: 150 MB (formatted)
• Form Factor: 5.25-inch Half-Height (HH)
• Power: +5V / 1.5A, +12V / 2.5A (4-pin Molex)
• Capstan Motor: Nidec 44F5098005, P/N M20297-201, Lot 9038
• Reel/Drive Motor: NB8206-M2, C/N 215471201, Rev F, Lot 9040
• PCB copyright: Archive Corp, 1983
• Country of Manufacture: Singapore
• Certifications: UL (LR56637), CSA, VDE (Bauart Gepruft)
• Drive mechanism, PCB, bezel, tape head arm, rollers, and connectors present
• No tape cartridge, host adapter, or cables included

Applications

The Archive 2150L belongs to the QIC (Quarter-Inch Cartridge) tape drive family that served as the primary backup medium for IBM PC-compatible desktop and workstation systems throughout the mid-1980s to early 1990s. The QIC-02 interface was common on systems running MS-DOS, and drives like the 2150L were installed in tower and desktop PCs alongside dedicated QIC-02 host adapter cards from companies such as Everex, Mountain Computer, and Archive's own adapters. They were used for routine file backup, archival storage, and data transfer in small businesses and corporate workgroups before IDE tape drives and DAT units became prevalent. Today, QIC-02 tape drives like the 2150L are sought by collectors, retro-computing enthusiasts, and organizations needing to recover legacy backup tapes from this era. Parts from these drives — including motors, PCBs, and mechanical components — are also useful for repairing other surviving QIC-02 units.