Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for allocating resources in a disk drive having a user accessible area, a reserve area, and a boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area. A capacity of the disk drive accessible to the user is read, the boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area so as to increase the reserve area, and information is inputted to the increased reserve area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for allocating resources in a disk drive having a user accessible area, a reserve area, and a boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area. A capacity of the disk drive accessible to the user is read, the boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area so as to increase the reserve area, and information is inputted to the increased reserve area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for storage of device performance data and repair systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a data recorder includes a memory device connected to at least one device for storing performance data obtained from the device wherein the memory device is accessible after failure of the device. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for optimizing device performance includes determining an operating system type, saving the operating system type in a data recorder and loading a firmware module based on the saved type. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for preventing loss of device performance data includes obtaining performance data from a device and storing the performance data on a data recorder wherein the data recorder is accessible after failure of the device. It may be desirable to store performance data to the data recorder so as not to affect the operation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for allocating resources in a disk drive having a user accessible area, a reserve area, and a boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area. A capacity of the disk drive accessible to the user is read, the boundary between the user accessible area and the reserve area so as to increase the reserve area, and information is inputted to the increased reserve area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for storage of device performance data and repair systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a data recorder includes a memory device connected to at least one device for storing performance data obtained from the device wherein the memory device is accessible after failure of the device. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for optimizing device performance includes determining an operating system type, saving the operating system type in a data recorder and loading a firmware module based on the saved type. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for preventing loss of device performance data includes obtaining performance data from a device and storing the performance data on a data recorder wherein the data recorder is accessible after failure of the device. It may be desirable to store performance data to the data recorder so as not to affect the operation of the device.

Abstract: A computer system having a monitor, disk drive, and central controller is disclosed. The computer manufacturer uses a method for expanding the reserve area of a disk drive to allow computer systems manufacturers to change the storage capacity of the reserve area. The method includes setting up a password with the disk drive manufacturer to enable two commands. One command reads the maximum address or largest track number that the user has access to. The second command allows for setting a new maximum address to which the user has access. The firmware of the disc drive is updated with the new maximum address. Once the two commands have been used to expand the reserve area, the computer system manufacturer can add critical data, and critical program instructions to the expanded or new reserve area.