A data storage device including non-volatile storage is initialized from initialization information stored in an information initialization area. A pointer area is also provided on the non-volatile storage for storing initialization pointer information. Pointer information includes a sequence identifier. A processor is configured to read the storage locations in the pointer area and used the information to locate and read initialization information from the located initialization information area to initialize the data storage device. In one embodiment, sequence identifiers are examined to locate most recent sequence identifier for initialization. In other embodiments, more than one initialization area and/or pointer area may be used for robustness.