Systems and methods for forward corrupted track detection and by-pass are described. In one embodiment, a storage system comprising a storage controller performs a read operation for a target track of a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) disk drive and detects a read operation failure of the read operation for the target track. The storage controller also performs a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track and detect a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes detecting a read operation failure of a read operation for a track of a disk drive and performing a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track. The method also includes detecting a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Moreover, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method which includes: instructing, by the processor, a drive to detect a written signal burst on a magnetic tape; and searching, by the processor, a surface of the magnetic tape proximate to the written signal burst for a defect. A computer-implemented method, according to another embodiment, includes: moving a magnetic tape to an approximate location of a defect, detecting a written signal burst on the magnetic tape, and stopping movement of the magnetic tape in response to detecting the written signal burst. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

A tape drive system for ensuring tape data integrity by tape surface inspection, the tape drive system being configured for reading and writing data from/to a magnetic tape, is provided. The tape drive system includes a laser inspection unit comprising a sender and a receiver integrated into the tape drive system, wherein the laser inspection unit configured for recognizing a tape defect by scanning the magnetic tape when the tape drive system is in operation. The tape drive system includes a read/write head configured for acting together with the laser inspection unit as sensors for providing sensor data during a read/write operation of the tape drive system, a communication link between the sensors and a controller unit for exchanging sensor data. The controller is configured for evaluating sensor data and for triggering predefined actions based on the respective evaluation results such that the tape data integrity is ensured.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a controller to cause the controller to: monitor, by the controller, a resistance value of each of a plurality of detector structures positioned in an array, and detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of the detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. Moreover, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Systems and methods for forward corrupted track detection and by-pass are described. In one embodiment, a storage system comprising a storage controller performs a read operation for a target track of a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) disk drive and detects a read operation failure of the read operation for the target track. The storage controller also performs a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track and detect a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes detecting a read operation failure of a read operation for a track of a disk drive and performing a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track. The method also includes detecting a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Moreover, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method which includes: instructing, by the processor, a drive to detect a written signal burst on a magnetic tape; and searching, by the processor, a surface of the magnetic tape proximate to the written signal burst for a defect. A computer-implemented method, according to another embodiment, includes: moving a magnetic tape to an approximate location of a defect, detecting a written signal burst on the magnetic tape, and stopping movement of the magnetic tape in response to detecting the written signal burst. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a controller to cause the controller to: monitor, by the controller, a resistance value of each of a plurality of detector structures positioned in an array, and detect, by the controller, a change in a resistance value of at least one of the detector structures, for identifying a defect on a magnetic medium. Each of the detector structures includes a pair of conductive layers separated by an insulating material. Moreover, none of the detector structures include an operable reader for reading data from a magnetic medium. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Systems and methods for forward corrupted track detection and by-pass are described. In one embodiment, a storage system comprising a storage controller performs a read operation for a target track of a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) disk drive and detects a read operation failure of the read operation for the target track. The storage controller also performs a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track and detect a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes detecting a read operation failure of a read operation for a track of a disk drive and performing a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track. The method also includes detecting a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating for loss of current through shorted tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors. In one embodiment, for a magnetic head having multiple TMR read sensors, a first voltage limit is set for most parts and a second voltage limit is set for all of the parts. A number of TMR read sensors which are allowed to function between the first and the second voltage limits is determined using a probability algorithm, which determines the probability that the application of the second voltage limit will result in a dielectric breakdown within an expected lifetime of a drive is below a threshold value. For the number of TMR read sensors which are allowed to function at voltages between the first and second voltage limits, a determined subset of those sensors are then allowed to function at the second voltage limit.

Systems and methods for forward corrupted track detection and by-pass are described. In one embodiment, a storage system comprising a storage controller performs a read operation for a target track of a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) disk drive and detects a read operation failure of the read operation for the target track. The storage controller also performs a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track and detect a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes detecting a read operation failure of a read operation for a track of a disk drive and performing a boundary track read operation on one or more tracks including or adjacent to the target track. The method also includes detecting a forward corruption area based on the boundary track read operation.