a track control method for a data cartridge tape drive which includes a multichannel head assembly , a positioner for controllably positioning the multichannel head assembly transversely to a transport path for a tape driven by the drive , and drive electronics responsive to a carrier servo signal . the track control method initializes the data cartridge tape drive by operating the positioner to move the head assembly to a preselected transverse position . next , the tape is moved along the transport path and the positioner is moved to substantially minimize a feedback signal derived from the carrier servo signal . the head assembly is stepped a first predetermined number of steps in a first transverse direction until the carrier servo signal is not detected . if the carrier servo signal is not detected , then the positioner is stepped so as to move the head assembly a second predetermined number of steps in a second transverse direction to locate a reference track .