Computer Hardware: Hard Disk Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of a hard disk?

It is a read-only storage device.

It is a volatile storage device.

It is a non-volatile storage device. (correct)

It is a write-only storage device.

What is the primary advantage of the 3 ½” Form Factor?

Reduced speed and seek performance.

Enhanced rigidity and manufacturing ease. (correct)

Increased heat and noise generation.

Reduced size and increased power consumption.

Which of the following form factors is best suited for laptop and notebook PCs?

2 ½” Form Factor (correct)

3 ½” Form Factor

5 ¼” Form Factor

1.8” Form Factor

What is the main reason why most manufacturers prefer thinner size in hard disk form factors?

To reduce size and enhance rigidity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the 1.8” Form Factor?

It is a smaller form factor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) interface?

It uses a parallel data transfer method. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the hard disk form factor developed by IBM in 1988?

MicroDrive Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using SATA over PATA?

SATA has a serial data transfer method. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in data transfer method between SATA and PATA?

SATA uses serial data transfer, while PATA uses parallel data transfer Signup and view all the answers

Which interface is now the most common interface used for connecting hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices to a computer?

SATA Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum data transfer speed of PATA?

133 Mbps Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of SATA cables over PATA cables?

Thinner cables with smaller connectors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main disadvantage of PATA devices compared to SATA devices?

They consume more power Signup and view all the answers

Which interface is compatible with older devices?

PATA Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the read and write heads when power is applied to a hard drive?

They lift off the data surfaces due to air buildup Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs)?

HDDs use spinning disks and read/write heads, while SSDs have no moving parts Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of SATA over PATA in terms of cable length?

SATA has longer cable lengths Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the unload/load mechanism in newer hard drives?

To prevent the head from touching the surface of the platter during power off Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the logic board in a hard drive?

It contains the electronic controller and bus adapter circuit Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between IDE and SATA?

IDE is parallel, while SATA is serial Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of NVMe SSDs over traditional storage interfaces?

They allow for more efficient communication with the computer system Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of SCSI over IDE?

SCSI is faster, but more difficult to install Signup and view all the answers

What type of interface is used by NVMe SSDs to connect to the computer's motherboard?

PCIe Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary type of flash memory used in modern SSDs?

NAND flash memory Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the hard drive platters during power off operation?

They spin down and come to a stop Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of solid state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs)?

SSDs are more reliable and durable than HDDs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hard Disk

A sealed case containing one or more circular platters or disks that store data, instructions, and information used by the computer system.
Non-volatile in nature, allowing data to be stored even without power supply, and preserving data unless intentionally wiped out or overwritten.

Form Factors

5 ¼” Form Factor: based on original drive bay size, now obsolete.
3 ½” Form Factor: introduced by Sony in 1991, with enhanced rigidity, manufacturing ease, increased speed, power conservation, noise and heat reduction, and improved seek performance.
2 ½” Form Factor: introduced by Prairie Tek in 1988, best suited for laptop and notebook PCs, with common thicknesses of 8.5 mm, 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, 12.7 mm, 17.0 mm, and 19.0 mm.
1.8” Form Factor: introduced by Integral Peripherals in 1991, mounts seamlessly in most PCMCIA slots, ideal for detachable storage in laptops and notebooks.
1” Form Factor: developed by IBM in 1988, also called MicroDrive, with a platter size similar to a quarter, capable of storing 4 GB or more.

SATA and PATA

PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment): an older interface, using parallel data transfer, with wider ribbon cables and larger connectors, largely replaced by SATA.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment): a newer interface, using serial data transfer, with faster data transfer speeds, thinner cables, and smaller connectors, now the most common interface for hard drives and SSDs.
SATA offers faster data transfer speeds (up to 6 Gbps), longer cable lengths (up to 1 meter), and lower power consumption, while PATA is slower (maximum 133 Mbps), with limited cable length (45 cm or less), and higher power consumption.

Components

Logic Boards: contain electronic controllers, bus adapters, data and power connectors, configuration, and jumpers/switches.

Hard Drive Interfaces

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE): the controller is integrated into the disk drive, using AT Attachment (ATA) Enhanced IDE (EIDE) and Parallel AT Attachment (PATA).
Serial ATA (SATA): has several advantages over PATA, including superior cabling and connectors, higher bandwidth, and greater reliability.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI): a standard for communication between peripherals and the system bus, providing better performance and expansion capabilities for internal and external devices.

Operation

HDDs are composed of rotating disks or platters with heads that read and write data in circular rings.
Read and write heads do not make contact with the media.
When power is applied, the platters spin up to speed, and the buildup of air under the heads causes them to lift off the data surfaces.
During power off, the platters spin down, the cushion of air dissipates, and the heads drop back to the surface of the drive.

Solid State Drives (SSDs)

Use NAND-based flash memory to store data.
Unlike traditional hard disk drives, SSDs have no moving parts and store data electronically, making them faster, more durable, and more reliable.
Interfaces of SSDs: SATA, mSATA, M.2 SATA, M.2 NVMe.

NVMe Solid State Drives

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a type of interface protocol designed for SSDs to communicate with the computer system efficiently.
Optimized for SSDs using NAND flash memory, using the PCIe interface to connect to the motherboard.
NVMe SSDs are designed to take advantage of the fast access times and high transfer rates of NAND flash memory.

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Description

Learn about the basic components and functions of a hard disk, including its physical structure, data storage, and non-volatile nature. Understand the importance of hard disks in computer systems.