Patent ID: 6332207
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method of correcting a read error in a disk drive, comprising:reading a disk surface to provide a data signal that includes data bits, error correction code (ECC) bits and ECC pad bits;detecting an error in the data signal;determining an approximate location of the error;testing the data signal by (i) determining whether the pad bits are correct, (ii) performing an error correction procedure on the data bits using the ECC bits and the approximate location of the error if the pad bits are correct, and (iii) skipping the error correction procedure if the pad bits are not correct, wherein the test is successful if the pad bits are correct and the error correction procedure is successful, and the test is not successful if the pad bits are not correct or the error correction procedure is not successful; andshifting the data signal and then repeating the test if the test was not successful.