1. A Reed-Solomon decoder for producing a dataword based on a decision-codeword, the decoder comprising: a memory, the memory storing a first error locator polynomial and a second error locator polynomial, each generated from the decision-codeword; and an error correction circuit for producing the dataword by processing at least the first error locator polynomial, the error correction circuit operable to: process the first error locator polynomial according to an accelerated Chien search to determine if the first error locator polynomial is valid, in response to a determination that the first error locator polynomial is valid, produce the dataword by further processing the first error locator polynomial according to a non-accelerated Chien search, and in response to a determination that the first error locator polynomial is not valid, process the second error locator polynomial according to the accelerated Chien search to determine if the second error locator polynomial is valid.