Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk having data tracks, a magnetic head, a motion mechanism for moving the magnetic head, and a controller. The controller adds a value to a rewrite parameter for a rewrite region based on a number of writes to data tracks related to the rewrite region, the value is chosen to reflect a degree of influence the number of writes have on the rewrite region, and the magnetic head rewrites data of the rewrite region when the rewrite parameter is greater than a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data tracks in a rewrite region, defining values reflecting a degree(s) of influence on the rewrite region, adding the values to a rewrite parameter upon writing data to the data tracks, determining that the rewrite parameter has reached or exceeded a threshold and rewriting data in the rewrite region.

Abstract: A method for dividing a data area on a disk into a plurality of concentric zones and determining a format for each zone so that data tracks in the zone have the same number of data sectors. The method includes dividing a data area into a plurality of zones with provisional boundaries. The method also includes determining a linear recording density for a selected zone. The method further includes selecting the number of data sectors per data track corresponding to the determined linear recording density from specified values. Moreover, the method includes resetting a boundary of the zone at a new boundary shifted from the provisional boundary according to a selected value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to reduce the occurrence of read hard errors in a hard disk drive (HDD). According to one embodiment, a HDD rewrites data on all data tracks of a block M when the number of write operations to the block consisting of continuous plural data tracks. The HDD further rewrites data on continuous plural data tracks and adjacent to the block. Since the number of write operations is counted every block, a memory area to register the number of write operations can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for dividing a data area on a disk into a plurality of concentric zones and determining a format for each zone so that data tracks in the zone have the same number of data sectors. The method includes dividing a data area into a plurality of zones with provisional boundaries. The method also includes determining a linear recording density for a selected zone. The method further includes selecting the number of data sectors per data track corresponding to the determined linear recording density from specified values. Moreover, the method includes resetting a boundary of the zone at a new boundary shifted from the provisional boundary according to a selected value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk having data tracks, a magnetic head, a motion mechanism for moving the magnetic head, and a controller. The controller adds a value to a rewrite parameter for a rewrite region based on a number of writes to data tracks related to the rewrite region, the value is chosen to reflect a degree of influence the number of writes have on the rewrite region, and the magnetic head rewrites data of the rewrite region when the rewrite parameter is greater than a threshold. In another embodiment, a method includes writing data tracks in a rewrite region, defining values reflecting a degree(s) of influence on the rewrite region, adding the values to a rewrite parameter upon writing data to the data tracks, determining that the rewrite parameter has reached or exceeded a threshold and rewriting data in the rewrite region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to reduce the occurrence of read hard errors in a hard disk drive (HDD). According to one embodiment, a HDD rewrites data on all data tracks of a block M when the number of write operations to the block consisting of continuous plural data tracks. The HDD further rewrites data on continuous plural data tracks and adjacent to the block. Since the number of write operations is counted every block, a memory area to register the number of write operations can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a rotating storage device. The rotating storage device includes a storage medium driven to rotate, a head for reading and writing information on the storage medium and a ramped loading mechanism in which the head is stored. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the head is loaded from the ramped loading mechanism onto the storage medium. Next, determining whether or not a write operation on said storage medium is performed within a predetermined amount of time after loading said head on said storage medium and in response to said determination, setting a verification flag to indicate a data verification is required immediately after said write operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a rotating storage device. The rotating storage device includes a storage medium driven to rotate, a head for reading and writing information on the storage medium and a ramped loading mechanism in which the head is stored. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the head is loaded from the ramped loading mechanism onto the storage medium. Next, location information stored in said storage medium via said head is read. A location of the head is then retained for a predetermined period above a track of a region other than a valid storage region of said storage medium after successfully reading the location information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a rotating storage device. The rotating storage device includes a storage medium driven to rotate, a head for reading and writing information on the storage medium and a ramped loading mechanism in which the head is stored. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the head is loaded from the ramped loading mechanism onto the storage medium. Next, location information stored in the storage medium via the head is read. A location of the head is then retained for a predetermined period above a track of a region other than a valid storage region of the storage medium after successfully reading the location information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a rotating storage device. The rotating storage device includes a storage medium driven to rotate, a head for reading and writing information on the storage medium and a ramped loading mechanism in which the head is stored. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the head is loaded from the ramped loading mechanism onto the storage medium. Next, location information stored in said storage medium via said head is read. A location of the head is then retained for a predetermined period above a track of a region other than a valid storage region of said storage medium after successfully reading the location information.