Patent ID: 7088532
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method of preconditioning a disk drive for data storage, the disk drive having a disk for recording thereon with a head positionable on the disk by an actuator, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a write current for the head such that application of the write current to the head causes thermal expansion in the head due to the magnitude of the write current, wherein the write current is selected to be higher than a write current for recording data on the disk; (b) rotating the disk; (c) applying the selected write current to the head to cause thermal expansion in the head due to the write current; (d) positioning the head over the disk with the actuator, such that the head is supported by an air bearing between the head and the disk, wherein the head is at lower than normal fly height over the disk due to the thermal expansion; and (e) moving the actuator across the disk while the head is at lower than normal fly height over the disk due to the thermal expansion, whereby interference between the head and the disk burnishes the head and disk interface.