A method of deriving optimum read channel parameters for use in reading servo sector data from a disk drive having a head mounted on an actuator, a read channel including a preamplifier, a disk having a plurality of tracks, each track having multiple sequentially active servo sectors, a sampled signal head positioning servo controller to control the actuator position, a microprocessor, and a memory. The first step is to store default values and variable test values associated with read channel parameters. The microprocessor is programmed to detect certain servo errors which may occur. The read channel parameters are initially set to the default values in order to ensure that the disk drive can properly perform a seek. A series of seeks is then performed in alternating directions over a band of tracks. While performing the seeks, one of the read channel parameters is set to one of the variable test values for a first set of alternating servo sectors; next, the read channel parameters are set back to their default values for a second set of alternating servo sectors; and servo errors which occur during the series of seeks are recorded. This process is repeated for each of a predetermined matrix of test values. At the end, each of the read channel parameter values resulting in the least errors logged is identified as being optimal, and a table of optimized read channel parameter values is stored in the disk drive.