Storage Devices - HDD

Computer Hardware and Software Technology

Magnetic Storage


Permanent or semi-permanent computer data storage works by either optical or magnetic principles or, in some cases, a combination of the two. In the case of magnetic storage, a stream of binary computer data bits (0s and 1s) is stored by magnetizing tiny pieces of metal embedded on the surface of a disk or tape in a pattern that represents the data.

History of magnetic storage



June 1949
they were working on was the first magnetic storage device for computers, and it revolutionized the industry.

May 21, 1952

IBM announced the IBM 726 Tape Unit with the IBM701 Defense Calculator, marking the transition from punched-card calculators to electronic computers.

History of magnetic storage (cont)



September 13, 1956

first computer disk storage system as part of the 305 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control) computer.

Define: Hard Disk Drive



is a sealed unit that a PC uses for nonvolatile data storage. Nonvolatile, or semipermanent, storage means that the storage device retains the data even when no power is supplied to the computer. contains rigid, disk-shaped platters, usually constructed of aluminum or glass.

HDD - Inside

HDD Form Factor

HDD - Operation


HDD consists of these ff:

Tracks Sector Platters

HDD Operation (cont)



A track is a single ring of data on one side of a disk. Tracks are divided into several numbered divisions known as sectors. These sectors represent arc-shaped pieces of the track.

Caution


It is strongly recommended that you do not even attempt to open a hard disk drive's HDA unless you have the equipment and expertise to make repairs inside. Most manufacturers deliberately make the HDA difficult to open to discourage the intrepid do-it-yourselfer. Opening the HDA voids the drive's warranty.

Disk Formatting


Two formatting procedures are required before you can write user data to a disk:
Physical, or low-level formatting Logical, or high-level formatting

Disk Formatting (cont)



Consequently, preparing a hard disk drive for data storage involves three steps:
Low-level formatting (LLF) Partitioning High-level formatting (HLF)

Disk Formatting - Partitioning



Three common file systems are used by PC operating systems today:

FAT (file allocation table)


FAT partitions support filenames of 11 characters maximum (8 characters + a 3-character extension) under DOS, and 255 characters under Windows 9x (or later). The standard FAT file system uses 12- or 16-bit numbers to identify clusters, resulting in a maximum volume size of 2GB.

Disk Formatting Partitioning (cont)

FAT32 (file allocation table, 32-bit)


An optional file system supported by Windows 95 OSR2 (OEM Service Release 2), Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000/XP. The native file system for Windows NT/2000/XP that supports filenames up to 256 characters long and partitions up to (a theoretical) 16 exabytes. NTFS also provides extended attributes and file system security features that do not exist in the FAT file system.

NTFS (Windows NT File System)



Caution


FDISK, DISKPART, Disk Management, and other disk partitioning tools included in operating systems can't be used to change the size of a partition; all they can do is remove or create partitions. The act of removing or creating a partition destroys and loses access to data that was contained in the partition or that was on that part of the disk. To manipulate partitions without destroying data, you can use third-party utility programs, such as Partition Magic from Symantec or Partition Commander from V-Communications.

Basic Hard Disk Drive Components

    

 

Disk platters Read/write heads Head actuator mechanism Spindle motor (inside platter hub) Logic board (controller or Printed Circuit Board) Cables and connectors Configuration items (such as jumpers or switches)

Basic Hard Disk Drive Components (cont)

Read/Write Heads

Caution


The small size of the gap between the platters and the heads is why you should never open the disk drive's HDA except in a clean-room environment. Any particle of dust or dirt that gets into this mechanism could cause the heads to read improperly or possibly even to strike the platters while the drive is running at full speed. The latter event could scratch the platter or the head, causing permanent damage.

Head Actuator Mechanisms

 

Stepper motor actuators Voice coil actuators

Stepper Motor Actuators



A stepper motor is an electrical motor that can "step," or move from position to position, with mechanical detents or click-stop positions. Stepper motor mechanisms are affected by a variety of problems, but the greatest problem is temperature.

Stepper Motor Actuators (cont)

Hard Disk Features

 

Capacity Performance
Transfer rate Average access time

 

Reliability Cost