Identifying defective data sectors in a disk drive

A method for identifying defective data sectors in a disk drive, the method comprising:

• generating a test pattern on a portion of a disk surface;
• reading the test pattern on the portion to detect an error and if an error is detected:
• associating the error with a physical location on the portion to identify a defective area unsuitable for user data;
• assigning a severity category to the defective area;
• providing a physical defect list (P-list) for listing each defective area, the P-list having a predetermined P-list limit to restrict a number of P-list entries;
• and
• posting the defective areas having a first severity category to the P-list and if the P-list limit is not exceeded by the first severity category entries after all of the defective areas having the first severity category on the portion are posted to the P-list, then:
• posting defective areas having a second severity category to the P-list.