Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention includes partition selection circuitry configured to selectably provide individual access to multiple ones of a plurality of partitions of a data storage component by a host device without multiple partition support. The apparatus can also include the data storage component and/or the host device. The partition selection circuitry uses a logical block addressing (LBA) address generated by the host device, and an operating mode indicator indicative of a particular partition, to allow the partitions of the data storage component to be accessed by the host device without multiple partition support. Methods implemented by the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention includes partition selection circuitry configured to selectably provide individual access to multiple ones of a plurality of partitions of a data storage component by a host device without multiple partition support. The apparatus can also include the data storage component and/or the host device. The partition selection circuitry uses a logical block addressing (LBA) address generated by the host device, and an operating mode indicator indicative of a particular partition, to allow the partitions of the data storage component to be accessed by the host device without multiple partition support. Methods implemented by the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Minimal and maximal numbers are established defining two levels of retry attempts to read system information from a storage medium. Multiple copies of the system information are stored on the storage medium. Attempts are made to successively read the copies until either the system information is successfully read or the system information is not successfully read from any copy of the system information after the minimal number of attempts on each copy. If the system information is not successfully read, attempts are made to successively read the copies until either the system information is successfully read or the system information is not successfully read from any copy of the system information after the maximal number of attempts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving a single complete copy from multiple stored copies is provided. Information of each of the multiple stored copies is contained in a different set of sectors on disc surfaces in a disc storage system. Each different set of sectors can include at least one defective sector from which information is not recoverable. One copy from the multiple stored copies from which information is recoverable is selected. Defective sectors in the selected copy are identified. Replacement sectors are located from the multiple stored copies other than the selected copy. Information from the selected copy is merged with information from the replacement sectors to form the single complete copy.

Abstract: Minimal and maximal numbers are established defining two levels of retry attempts to read system information from a storage medium. Multiple copies of the system information are stored on the storage medium. Attempts are made to successively read the copies until either the system information is successfully read or the system information is not successfully read from any copy of the system information after the minimal number of attempts on each copy. If the system information is not successfully read, attempts are made to successively read the copies until either the system information is successfully read or the system information is not successfully read from any copy of the system information after the maximal number of attempts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing retry redundancy during disc read operations in a disc drive system are provided in which a number of physical sectors to be read from the disc during read operations is first determined. An attempt is then made to read all sectors of the number of sectors during a first disc revolution. Failed sectors of the number of sectors during the first disc revolution are also identified. A retry cycle is then performed on the failed sectors during a second disc revolution following the completion of the attempt to read all sectors of the number of sectors during the first revolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing retry redundancy during disc read operations in a disc drive system are provided in which a number of physical sectors to be read from the disc during read operations is first determined. An attempt is then made to read all sectors of the number of sectors during a first disc revolution. Failed sectors of the number of sectors during the first disc revolution are also identified. A retry cycle is then performed on the failed sectors during a second disc revolution following the completion of the attempt to read all sectors of the number of sectors during the first revolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving a single complete copy from multiple stored copies is provided. Information of each of the multiple stored copies is contained in a different set of sectors on disc surfaces in a disc storage system. Each different set of sectors can include at least one defective sector from which information is not recoverable. One copy from the multiple stored copies from which information is recoverable is selected. Defective sectors in the selected copy are identified. Replacement sectors are located from the multiple stored copies other than the selected copy. Information from the selected copy is merged with information from the replacement sectors to form the single complete copy.