Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention efficiently conduct a test for detecting defects on a magnetic disk more accurately. According to one embodiment, a HDD carries out defect inspection of a magnetic disk using thermal fly height control (TFC). Changing a clearance by the TFC achieves defect inspection tests under varied test conditions without much decrease of throughput in manufacturing HDDs. First, a self analysis test (SAT) is carried out in a state that a heater power of P2 is supplied to a heater. Then, another SAT is carried out in a state that a heater power of P1 is supplied to the heater. The heater power P2 is larger than the heater power P1.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention efficiently conduct a test for detecting defects on a magnetic disk more accurately. According to one embodiment, a HDD carries out defect inspection of a magnetic disk using thermal fly height control (TFC). Changing a clearance by the TFC achieves defect inspection tests under varied test conditions without much decrease of throughput in manufacturing HDDs. First, a self analysis test (SAT) is carried out in a state that a heater power of P2 is supplied to a heater. Then, another SAT is carried out in a state that a heater power of P1 is supplied to the heater. The heater power P2 is larger than the heater power P1.

Abstract: A head support assembly for a disk drive is comprised of a head suspension assembly connected to an actuator arm at one end and supporting a head at the other end, wherein a projection is formed on a flexure closely fixed on a thin-plate load beam, said projection projecting toward a disk surface and having a smooth surface. The projection is formed at a region somewhat close to the head supporting end from the hinge portion of the load beam. When shock is applied to the disk drive, bending occurs around the hinge portion of the load beam. During such bending, the projection having a smooth round surface is caused to contact the disk, whereby the disk surface is prevented from being damaged.

Abstract: A head support assembly for a disk drive is comprised of a head suspension assembly connected to an actuator arm at one end and supporting a head at the other end, wherein a projection is formed on a flexure closely fixed on a thin-plate load beam, said projection projecting toward a disk surface and having a smooth surface. The projection is formed at a region somewhat close to the head supporting end from the hinge portion of the load beam. When shock is applied to the disk drive, bending occurs around the hinge portion of the load beam. During such bending, the projection having a smooth round surface is caused to contact the disk, whereby the disk surface is prevented from being damaged.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus and read error recovery method in a disk drive apparatus removes thermal asperities on disk surfaces. A projection, such as a thermal asperity, on the recording surfaces of disks is detected when a signal transducer head contacts the projection. The flying height of the signal transducer head is lowered, e.g., by changing the disk rotation speed from the normal rotation speed in read/write operations or by heating a suspension having a bimetal element, while the signal transducer head is positioned over the detected projection on the track. The signal transducer head strikes the projection to break the projection. This avoids a subsequent error from being caused by the thermal asperity.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus and read error recovery method in a disk drive apparatus removes thermal asperities on disk surfaces. A projection, such as a thermal asperity, on the recording surfaces of disks is detected when a signal transducer contacts the projection. The flying height of the signal transducer is lowered, e.g., by reducing the disk rotation speed from the normal rotation speed in read/write operations, while the signal transducer is positioned over the detected projection on the track. The signal transducer strikes the projection to break the projection. This avoids a subsequent error from being caused by the thermal asperity.