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.