Hybrid drive storing write data in non-volatile semiconductor memory if write verify of disk fails

A method of operating a hybrid drive comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors, a volatile semiconductor memory (VSM), and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM), the method comprising:

• receiving a first write command from a host, the first write command comprising first data;
• storing the first data in the VSM;
• writing the first data to a first data sector on the disk;
• reading the first data from the first data sector at least once during a first read operation;
• when the first read operation fails, writing the first data to the NVSM;
• after writing the first data to the NVSM, reading the first data from the first data sector at least once during a second read operation;
• and
• when the second read operation fails, mapping out the first data sector;
• dynamically mapping a logical block address (LBA) associated with the first data to a physical block address (PBA) of the first data sector at a head of a circular buffer on the disk;
• when the first read operation fails, setting an environment flag;
• and
• when the environment flag is set, servicing write commands received from the host using the NVSM.

A hybrid drive comprising:

• a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors;
• a head actuated over the disk;
• a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM);
• and
• control circuitry operable to:
• write first data to a first data sector on the disk;
• write second data to a second data sector on the disk;
• first read the first data from the first data sector;
• second read the second data from the second data sector;
• when both the first and second read fail, set an environmental flag;
• and
• when the environment flag is set, bypass the disk and service write commands received from a host using the NVSM.

A method of operating a hybrid drive comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data sectors, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM), the method comprising:

• writing first data to a first data sector on the disk;
• writing second data to a second data sector on the disk;
• first reading the first data from the first data sector;
• second reading the second data from the second data sector;
• when both the first and second read fail, setting an environmental flag;
• and
• when the environment flag is set, bypassing the disk and servicing write commands received from a host using the NVSM.