Abstract: An apparatus, modules, means, and computer readable media for and a method of logging critical events to a critical event log storage area on a disc in a disc drive are disclosed. The disc drive having a data storage disc is operably connected to a host computer. The data communication between the host computer and the disc drive is established via a disc drive interface. The disc drive interface may be an ATA disc drive interface. A power-on operational status of the disc drive with the host computer is determined. Then a critical event is determined without a host computer intervention. A set of critical events are predefined and stored in the firmware of the disc drive. The critical event can be monitored and logged either during an on-line data collection mode or an off-line data collection mode. During the off-line data collection mode, the firmware performs off-line scan of the disc drive in the background.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for logging errors in a storage device. As commands are executed by the storage device a list of previously executed commands is maintained. When an error is detected by the storage device, the previously executed commands and certain error condition codes are stored in an error log in a non-volatile memory of the storage device. The storage device is responsive to a command for reading back the values contained in the error log for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A storage device capable of performing diagnostics tests on itself to render an opinion of its health to a host computer is disclosed. Test commands are received over an industry-standard interface. The tests may be run in off-line or captive modes. Off-line tests are subject to interruption from the host computer whereas captive tests are not. Unless a command is received that instructs the storage device to stop testing or power-down, the storage device suspends the test, executes the host command and resumes testing. Power management is disabled while the tests are run to prevent the storage device from inadvertently powering down. A number of specific tests may be performed, including a general quick test and a comprehensive test. Failures detected during the tests are logged in a non-volatile memory of the storage device and include an indication of which component failed and at which point in the test that component failed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer system for correcting errors and defects in a storage device. The storage device includes media for storing data. A periodic read scan is performed to test the data. If a repeatable error is found, the data is moved to a new sector from a pool of available sectors. Defects are counted and identified in a defect list for reporting to the host. The storage device is scannable is small segments to minimize impact on performance.

Abstract: An apparatus, modules, means, and computer readable media for and a method of logging critical events to a critical event log storage area on a disc in a disc drive are disclosed. The disc drive having a data storage disc is operably connected to a host computer. The data communication between the host computer and the disc drive is established via a disc drive interface. The disc drive interface may be an ATA disc drive interface. A power-on operational status of the disc drive with the host computer is determined. Then a critical event is determined without a host computer intervention. A set of critical events predefined and stored in the firmware of the disc drive. The critical event can be monitored and logged either during an on-line data collection mode or an off-line data collection mode. During the off-line data collection mode, the firmware performs off-line scan of the disc drive in the background.

Abstract: An apparatus, modules, means, and computer readable media for and a method of diagnosing a failed disc drive are disclosed. A disc drive is operably connectable to a host computer and has a data storage disc. A portion of the disc is a Critical Event Log storage area for storing a Critical Event Log and another portion of the disc is an ATA Error Log storage area for storing an ATA Error Log. A disc drive interface provides a data communication path between the disc drive and a host computer. Firmware in the disc drive stores the Enhanced Short DST module and performs Enhanced Short DST upon receiving a run diagnostics command from the host computer. The firmware is operably connected to the data storage disc and the disc drive interface. The Enhanced Short DST determines a disc drive failure by examining data stored in at least the Critical Event Log and the ATA Error Log.

Abstract: Method for predicting an imminent failure of a disk drive. A plurality of attributes are selected for monitoring during operation of the disk drive. These attributes may include self-preserving attributes, performance attributes, error rate attributes, and even count attributes. An initial value is determined for each one of the selected attributes. A threshold value is then selected for each of the attributes. The disk drive is then monitored for occurrences of the self-preserving, performance, error rate and event count attributes. Each time an occurrence of the attributes is monitored, the initial value for that attribute is updated and normalized. The updated normalized value for the attribute is then compared with the corresponding threshold for that attribute and an imminent failure of the disk drive is predicted if the normalized updated value of the attribute exceeds the threshold therefor.

Abstract: A layered block device driver for accessing a storage device coupled to a computer system having a platform on which a disk fault prediction application operates. The layered block device driver includes a file system driver coupled to the computer system, at least one upper level driver coupled to the file system driver, an intermediate driver having a first coupling with the upper level driver for the exchange of messages between the intermediate driver and the upper level driver and a second coupling with the application which controls the exchange of messages between the application and the storage device, and a port driver coupled to the intermediate driver and the storage device.