Abstract: A method of validating an error correction code engine of a disc drive includes choosing a physical sector to use for running a validation test for validating the error correction code engine, determining if the physical sector is good, and performing the validation test using the physical sector if the physical sector is good. Another method of validating an error correction code engine in a disc drive includes receiving a first command from a host connected to the disc drive, determining whether to disable one or more of the plurality of error correction code functions in response to the command, disabling the one or more error correction code functions if the command indicates to disable the one or more error correction code functions and executing the command so that the host can validate the error correction code engine.