Sequential data storage with rewrite using dead-track detection

A method, comprising:

• reading, using a plurality of read transducers, encoded data from a plurality of tracks of a sequential access medium simultaneously;
• determining that a first of the tracks of the sequential access medium is dead within a sliding window in response to a determination that an output from a first read transducer is insufficient;
• and
• rewriting a set of encoded data from the one or more dead tracks to one or more live tracks in a rewrite area of the sequential access medium,
• wherein the first read transducer is aligned with a first write transducer configured to store data to the first track, wherein the output of the first read transducer is produced during read-while-write, and wherein the live tracks comprise all of the plurality of tracks of the sequential access medium except for the one or more dead tracks.

A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the embodied program instructions being executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

• read, by the processor using a plurality of read transducers, encoded data from a plurality of tracks of a sequential access medium simultaneously;
• determine, by the processor, that one or more tracks of the sequential access medium are dead within a sliding window in response to a determination that an output from a read transducer reading each dead track is insufficient;
• and
• rewrite, by the processor, a set of encoded data from the one or more dead tracks to one or more live tracks in a rewrite area of the sequential access medium,
• wherein the read transducers are aligned with write transducers configured to store data to the tracks, wherein the output of the read transducers is produced during read-while-write, and wherein the live tracks comprise all of the plurality of tracks of the sequential access medium except for the one or more dead tracks.