hard drives
DESCRIPTION
Information regarding hTRANSCRIPT
Hard Drives
Computer Maintenance
Definition of:
• Hard drive – A device that stores data on permanently enclosed magnetic disks. The vast majority of computers have at least one hard drive. Data stored on a hard dive remains after the power is disconnected. The operating system (OS) (such as Windows), along with programs and data, are almost always stored on a hard drive.
Characteristics• Heads – Small devices that store and pick up
magnetic information from the platters.• Platters – A round magnetic plate that
constitutes part of a hard disk. Most platters require two read/write heads, one for each side.
• Cylinders - A single track location on all the platters making up a hard disk.
• Sectors - The smallest unit that can be accessed on a disk.
• Clusters - A group of disk sectors.
Selecting a Hard Drive
• Compatibility– Form factors– IDE or SATA
• Quality– Warranty– Buffer (cache memory)– Platter speed– IDE or SATA
File Systems
• FAT32• NTFS
Partitions and Drive Letters
• Active partition: The partition that needs to contain the OS’s files because the BIOS looks to this partition for them.
• Master boot record (MBR): The area on a hard disk that contains boot file; this is the first sector on the disk.
• Physical disk: A hard drive.• Disk partitioning: The act of dividing a hard disk
drive into multiple virtual hard disk drives.
Motherboard Connection
• IDE– Standard
motherboards come with 2 IDE channels.
– Two devices can connect to each channel.
– Master and Slave
• SATA– Newer connection type– One device can be
connected to each SATA connector.
– 4 connections on average on motherboard
Hard Drive Removal and Installation
Hard Drive Removal
• Disconnect all cables and power from computer
• Open the case
• Remove power and data connectors
• Remove screws holding hard drive (4)
• Handle with care
Hard Drive Installation
• Determine if you want it to be a master or slave.
• Make sure the jumpers are set correctly.
Ribbon Cables
• Pin 1 – Edge is colored differently
• Notch on connector
Hard Drive Bays
• Most common is in a cage that holds drives horizontally at the front of the case.
• Second most common is the bay that holds drives vertically at the front of the case.
• Connect the power connector.