Abstract: A pattern is pre-written using a pre-erase or pre-conditioning magnetic field applied within at least part of a target track of a hard disk via a first write transducer prior to the target track being written. Subsequent to the pre-writing, target user data is written to the part of the target track.

Abstract: A method that includes supplying a predetermined signal to a write head having side shields. The method also includes performing, by the write head, a recording operation on a surface of a data storage medium, when the predetermined signal is supplied to the write head, to provide a recorded magnetization pattern. The method further includes carrying out measurements on a portion of the recorded magnetization pattern influenced by a magnetization of the side shields. The measurements are employed to determine whether a reversed side shield magnetization condition is present in the write head.

Abstract: A method of testing a dynamic write field of a recording head includes preparing a test magnetic medium and recording a write signal on the test magnetic medium with the write signal being set at a first write parameter and a second write parameter. An average of multiple read-back signals of the recorded write signal are captured to determine an average amplitude of the read-back signals. The recording of the write signal on the test magnetic medium and the capturing of the average of multiple read-back signals of the recorded write signal are repeated to determine the average amplitude of the read-back signals by fixing the first write parameter of the write signal and changing the second write parameter of the write signal until the average amplitude of the read-back signals saturates.

Abstract: A glide head for detecting asperities on a disc surface is provided. The glide head includes a glide slider which includes a glide slider body that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a bottom surface therebetween. The bottom surface is centered along a longitudinal axis that extends between the leading and trailing edges. An inside rail is disposed on the bottom surface on a first side of the longitudinal axis extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. An outside rail is disposed on the bottom surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The outside rail also extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The inside and outside rails are substantially equidistant from the longitudinal axis at the bottom surface. The outside rail is positioned lower than the inside rail such that a bottom surface of the outside rail extends further from a point on the longitudinal axis on the trailing edge than does a bottom surface of the inside rail.

Abstract: A connector board which interfaces a disk drive head assembly to a test apparatus. The connector board is capable of being separated into segments which facilitate head assembly testing without changing connector boards, wherein test connections may be established supporting differing numbers of head assembly wires. By way of example, the connector board is adapted so that it may be used with either four-wire heads or two-wire heads, and further provides simplified separation should only a two-wire connection be required.

Abstract: A disc burnishing system configured to contact and level irregularities located on a surface of a disc is provided. The system includes a motor to rotate the disc and an armature. A slider is carried on the armature over the surface of the disc. The slider includes at least one raised air bearing rail disposed on and extending from a bottom surface that faces the disc. At least one burnish pad is disposed on the bottom surface and extends towards the disc. Each burnish pad is spaced apart from each raised air bearing rail. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, a defect detection apparatus is operably disposed relative the slider and is utilized to first detect an irregularity before it is burnished.

Abstract: A glide head for detecting asperities on a disc surface is provided. The glide head includes a glide slider which includes a glide slider body that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a bottom surface therebetween. The bottom surface is centered along a longitudinal axis that extends between the leading and trailing edges. An inside rail is disposed on the bottom surface on a first side of the longitudinal axis extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. An outside rail is disposed on the bottom surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The outside rail also extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The inside and outside rails are substantially equidistant from the longitudinal axis at the bottom surface. The outside rail is positioned lower than the inside rail such that a bottom surface of the outside rail extends further from a point on the longitudinal axis on the trailing edge than does a bottom surface of the inside rail.

Abstract: A disc burnishing system configured to contact and level irregularities located on a surface of a disc is provided. The system includes a motor to rotate the disc and an armature. A slider is carried on the armature over the surface of the disc. The slider includes at least one raised air bearing rail disposed on and extending from a bottom surface that faces the disc. At least one burnish pad is disposed on the bottom surface and extends towards the disc. Each burnish pad is spaced apart from each raised air bearing rail. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, a defect detection apparatus is operably disposed relative the slider and is utilized to first detect an irregularity before it is burnished.

Abstract: An air bearing slider has an air bearing surface with two rails separated by a cavity. The rails are nonsymmetrical about the longitudinal axis. Instead, the width of the active rail is greater at the trailing end than at the leading end, such as by having a hook portion 64 which extends inward at a sharp angle to the longitudinal axis of the slider. The wider hook portion 64 causes an increased flying height sensitivity to underlying disc/wind speed. The nonactive rail has a greater width than the non-hook portion of the active rail, so the slider exhibits slight negative roll. A vibration sensor is attached to the air bearing slider, and the air bearing slider is used in glide testing of discs.

Abstract: A high resolution, low noise glide height test slider is provided to detect irregularities on a surface of a rotatable disc. A slider body is arranged to be supported by a support structure in predetermined spaced relation to the surface of the disc as it is rotating. A piezoelectric element on the slider body senses vibration forces acting on the slider body. The slider is electrically isolated from external noise sources.