Abstract: A system, computer program product and method for defragmenting a storage media, wherein the storage media has a limited number of direct overwrites. The method comprises determining an amount of fragmentation of the medium, calculating an ideal transfer time by dividing a size of selected data with a maximum data transfer rate of a device that uses the storage medium, determining a data transfer time associated with the selected data, dividing the data transfer time by the ideal transfer time to form an amount of fragmentation, and initiating defragmentation operations for the selected data when the amount of fragmentation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when data stored in a data storage device is becoming unreliable. A list of trigger events is maintained, either on the media, or on a host processor, and the number of trigger events pertaining to data retrieval errors is also maintained either on the disc media or on the host processor. Based upon the trigger events and the running totals, the disc media is scanned for errors from time to time and the error detecting algorithm can change depending upon the respective trigger totals.

Abstract: Data is moved to an alternate storage location in a storage medium upon encountering a data integrity fault and the trouble location is blocked from further storage thereat. The troubled data is studied, using pattern recognition, in an attempt to determine if the data fault has resulted from a temporary or permanent fault condition. If a temporary condition is determined, the user is given an opportunity to correct the error condition. Upon correction, the data is returned to the trouble location for storage and the block on that location is removed.