Load/unload system and method for maximizing disk writeable area

1. A method for loading a head onto a specified load zone of a disk, comprising:

reading positional index information for determining a position of a load zone of a disk;

determining when to load a head based on the positional index information so that the head will load onto the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees; and

loading the head onto the load zone, the load zone being positioned primarily on a down slope of the magnetic disk.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone is positioned towards an outer periphery of the disk.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone is positioned towards an inner periphery of the disk.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 180 degrees.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 90 degrees.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 30 degrees.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein data is written in an area of the disk circumferential to the load zone but not including the load zone.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein data is written in the load zone, there being at least one said load zone, the data being replicated in another area of the disk that is not in one of the said load zones, wherein the other area of the disk is circumferential to the load zone.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the load zone has been selected at random.

10. A method for loading a head onto a specified load zone of a disk, comprising:

reading positional index information for determining a position of a load zone of a disk;

determining when to load a head based on the positional index information so that the head will load onto the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees; and

loading the head from a ramp onto the load zone,

wherein the load zone is created by:

writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;

reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk; and

storing the position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.

11. A method for creating a load zone on a disk, comprising:

writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;

reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk; and

storing the position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than 360 degrees.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 180 degrees.

14. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 90 degrees.

15. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 30 degrees.

16. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein data is written in an area of the disk circumferential to the load zone but not including the load zone.

17. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein data is written in the load zone, the data being replicated in another area of the disk.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the other area of the disk is circumferential to the load zone.

19. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the method is performed for each disk in a drive.

20. A magnetic storage system, comprising:

a magnetic disk having a load zone and data written co-circumferentially with the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;

at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic disk, the head being loaded on the load zone;

a slider for supporting the head; and

a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head,

wherein the load zone is positioned primarily on a down slope of the magnetic disk.

21. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone is positioned towards an outer periphery of the disk.

22. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone is positioned towards an inner periphery of the disk.

23. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 180 degrees.

24. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 90 degrees.

25. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone has an arc of less than about 30 degrees.

26. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein data is written in an area of the disk circumferential to the load zone but not including the load zone.

27. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein data is written in the load zone, there being at least one said load zone, the data being replicated in another area of the disk that is not in one of the said load zones.

28. The system as recited in claim 27 , wherein the other area of the disk is circumferential to the load zone.

29. The system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the load zone has been selected at random.

30. The system as recited in claim 20 , further comprising at least one of an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor for reading positional index information, the positional index information being used to determine when to load the head onto the load zone.

31. A magnetic storage system, comprising:

a magnetic disk having a load zone and data written co-circumferentially with the load zone, the load zone having an arc of less than 360 degrees;

at least one head for reading from and writing to the magnetic disk, the head being loaded on the load zone;

a slider for supporting the head; and

a control unit coupled to the head for controlling operation of the head,

wherein the load zone is created by:

writing a load index burst as a head is loaded from a ramp onto a disk for creating a load zone marker on the disk, the load zone marker indicating a position of a load zone of the disk;

reading positional index information and the load zone marker for determining a position of the load zone on the disk; and

storing the circumferential position of the load zone, wherein the head is loaded on the load zone during subsequent load operations.