A magnetic tape and servo elements of a magnetic head for reading and writing to the magnetic tape can ascertain servo band signals from different servo bands that are vertically aligned and adjacent to one another. When operating in a write or read mode, at least two servo elements can be activated to respond to a write/read operation based on a determined position across a width of the servo bands in the magnetic tape. The determined position is based on various pattern combinations from different servo band identifiers from the servo band signals.

An example tape drive includes a magnetic tape head, an actuator, and a controller. The magnetic tape head includes a data write element to write a data track including data onto magnetic tape. The data track includes a non-trimming portion and a trimmable portion. The magnetic tape head also includes a data read element to read the data written to the non-trimming portion of the data track to verify the accuracy of the data. The controller positions the magnetic tape head via the actuator to allow (i) the data write element to write the first data track, and (ii) the data read element to read the second portion of the first data track. From the read data, a determination may be made as to whether the data was written to the non-trimming portion of the data track with a threshold level of accuracy.

An example tape drive includes a magnetic tape head, an actuator, and a controller. The magnetic tape head includes a data write element to write a data track including data onto magnetic tape. The data track includes a non-trimming portion and a trimmable portion. The magnetic tape head also includes a data read element to read the data written to the non-trimming portion of the data track to verify the accuracy of the data. The controller positions the magnetic tape head via the actuator to allow (i) the data write element to write the first data track, and (ii) the data read element to read the second portion of the first data track. From the read data, a determination may be made as to whether the data was written to the non-trimming portion of the data track with a threshold level of accuracy.

A magnetic tape and servo elements of a magnetic head for reading and writing to the magnetic tape can ascertain servo band signals from different servo bands that are vertically aligned and adjacent to one another. When operating in a write or read mode, at least two servo elements can be activated to respond to a write/read operation based on a determined position across a width of the servo bands in the magnetic tape. The determined position is based on various pattern combinations from different servo band identifiers from the servo band signals.

An example tape drive includes a magnetic tape head, an actuator, and a controller. The magnetic tape head includes a data write element to write a data track including data onto magnetic tape. The data track includes a non-trimming portion and a trimmable portion. The magnetic tape head also includes a data read element to read the data written to the non-trimming portion of the data track to verify the accuracy of the data. The controller positions the magnetic tape head via the actuator to allow (i) the data write element to write the first data track, and (ii) the data read element to read the second portion of the first data track. From the read data, a determination may be made as to whether the data was written to the non-trimming portion of the data track with a threshold level of accuracy.