Disclosed are systems and methods for positioning a head. An exemplary system includes a light source; a detector configured to receive signals from the light source; a transducer that reads signals from a magnetic tape; a plurality of structures coupled to the transducer and configured to pass in opposition to the detector; a stepping motor; and circuitry configured to determine whether or not a light signal is received by the detector. If the light signal is received, the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer incrementally in a first direction. If the light signal is interrupted by moving the transducer within a first distance, the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer in a direction opposite the first direction until the light signal has been continuously received across more than the first distance. If the light signal is not interrupted by moving the transducer within the first distance, continue to the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer incrementally in a first direction until the light signal is interrupted. If the first determining step determines that the light signal is not received, the circuitry commands the stepping motor to move the transducer incrementally in a direction opposite the first direction.