Michael Allan Neumann

US Patent:

59352612, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Jun 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/869439

Inventors:

Michael David Blachek - Rochester MN
Michael Allan Neumann - Rochester MN
Gordon James Smith - Rochester MN
Peter James Wachowiak - Kasson MN

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 42

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting handling damage in a direct access storage device (DASD). The DASD has at least one disk mounted for rotation and a transducer mounted for movement across tracks recorded on the at least one disk. Each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. A handling damage analysis test is performed within a predetermined damage zone on the at least one disk. Test results from the handling damage analysis test are compared with at least one threshold value. An error code is outputted responsive to compared test results being greater than the at least one threshold value. A microcode routine is stored in a random access memory (RAM) in the DASD. The microcode routine is performed for detecting handling damage in the direct access storage device (DASD) upon installation. An error code is outputted to a host interface responsive to compared test results greater than a threshold value.