A slider having leading and trailing edges is configured to fly on an airbearing above a data storage disk rotating from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Read and write heads are mounted on the slider proximate the trailing edge. An auxiliary thermal sensor is mounted on the slider, but preferably nearer the leading edge. Forward placement of the sensor allows it to sense mechanical defects before they reach the heads, thereby permitting a write inhibit operation, for example. The sensor may also be used to detect airbearing modulation. Appropriate action may be taken when unacceptable airbearing modulation is detected, such as notifying the user and/or scrubbing the slider. The sensor is preferably wider than the heads. This allows, for example, an in-situ glide test to be performed faster using the sensor. An arm electronics module is preferably configured to permit concurrent operation of the sensor and heads.

 
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< Disk apparatus having an improved clamp structure

< Spindle motor structure mounted directly on a base plate of a thin type flexible disk drive

> Slider with a slider ground pad electrically connected to write head poles and read head shields

> Flying head slider capable of avoiding collision when loaded having an air clogging dished space

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