Patent ID: 7277250
Filing Date: 2007-10-02
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A track zero determination method in a disk drive, the method comprising: (a) performing a sequential seek operation on target tracks of a disk, in units of predetermined numbers of tracks, outwardly, from a track separate from a physical track zero position obtained in a servo track write operation, by a predetermined distance toward the physical track zero position; (b) determining whether the target tracks belong to a region where a track-following operation is normally performed, and determining whether an actuator arm connected to a transducer is in contact with a mechanical buffering unit during the sequential seek operation of operation (a); (c) selecting as a logical track zero, the target track belonging to the region where the track following operation is normally performed and the actuator arm is not in contact with the mechanical buffering unit; and (d) treating the disk drive as defective if a number of times that the track-following operation is not normally performed during the sequential seek operation of operation (a) is greater than a predetermined threshold value.