Decreased load time by storing cassette initialization information

A servo system and method for calibrating servo index positions of a magnetic tape for track following linear servo edges, each servo edge comprising an interface between dissimilar recorded servo signals, the edges on opposite lateral sides of a middle servo signal. A servo loop laterally positions a servo sensor where the servo signals are at estimated ratios representing the locations of the servo edges. An independent position sensor indicates the mechanical lateral position of the servo sensor at the sensed servo edges. The servo loop repositions the servo sensor to a plurality of lateral positions at predetermined displacements from the independent position sensor sensed servo edges, and track follows at each of the predetermined offsets. The ratio of the sensed servo signals is determined for each predetermined displacement, and a two dimensional, second order curve is fitted to the ratios with respect to the predetermined displacements to calibrate expected position error signals at the offset servo index positions. Memory is provided to store the calibration data in association with a tape and drive mechanism, for faster read access to tape data upon subsequent read operations of the tape.