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HDD Report

The document discusses the components and operation of hard disk drives (HDDs). It describes both external components like casing and internal components like platters and read/write heads. It also explains how HDDs read and write data to platters by positioning heads and converting between magnetic and electrical signals.

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cattheboss2001
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249 views6 pages

HDD Report

The document discusses the components and operation of hard disk drives (HDDs). It describes both external components like casing and internal components like platters and read/write heads. It also explains how HDDs read and write data to platters by positioning heads and converting between magnetic and electrical signals.

Uploaded by

cattheboss2001
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IUBAT-International University of Business Agriculture and

Technology

Lab Report Name: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) Experiment


Course Code – CSC 348

Course Name – Computer Hardware and Maintenance.

Submitted To:
Md. Hasibul Islam

Senior Lecturer

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Submitted By:
Shadi Islam Apu

ID:22103206

Program: BCSE

Section: F

Date 0f Submission: 29/4/2024


Introduction of Hard Disk (HDD)
A Hard Disk Drive (HDD), an electro-mechanical storage device, utilizes magnetic storage to retain and
access digital data, constituting a non-volatile storage solution. Installed internally within computer systems,
it directly interfaces with motherboard disk controllers. Serving as a repository for the Operating System
(OS), installed software, and various computer files, the HDD ensures data persistence even when the
system is powered off. Also known as a fixed disk or hard drive, the HDD debuted in 1956 courtesy of IBM
and finds application in desktop computers, consumer electronics, and enterprise storage arrays housed in
data centers. Employing magnetic disks, HDDs store and retrieve operating systems, software programs, and
assorted files. Originally boasting capacities of less than 1 megabyte in early personal computers,
contemporary systems now accommodate HDDs up to 1 terabyte in size. External hard drives are commonly
employed with desktop computers for backup or supplementary storage purposes.
Different Components of Hard Disk Drive:
If we search into the deep inside of the HDD, we can see the different components which helps to
operate the HDD. Here’s a detailed picture of it:
External components:
Cover Mounting Holes: These are threaded holes on the metal casing of the HDD that allow it
to be secured using screws into a computer case.

Case Mounting Holes: Similar to cover mounting holes, these are on the opposite side of the
casing and are used for mounting within a drive bay of a computer case.

Internal Components:
Base Casting: This is the main body or frame of the HDD, typically made of aluminum, that
houses all the internal components.

Spindle: This is a rotating shaft at the center of the HDD that holds the platters in place. The
spindle motor spins the platters at high speeds (usually thousands of RPMs) to allow data reading
and writing.

Platters: These are the thin, circular disks, usually made of glass or aluminum, coated with a
special magnetic material. Data is stored on the platters as magnetized regions.

Actuator Arm: This is a mechanical arm that moves the read/write heads across the surface of
the platters to access specific locations for data retrieval or storage.

Actuator Axis: This is the central pivot point on which the actuator arm pivots to position the
heads over different areas of the platters.

Actuator: This term encompasses both the actuator arm and its associated mechanics for head
positioning.

Data Transfer and Control:


Slider (and Head): These are tiny read/write heads mounted on the end of the actuator arm.
They use electromagnetism to read data (by detecting existing magnetic patterns) or write data
(by creating new magnetic patterns) on the platters.

Ribbon Cable: This is a flat, flexible cable that connects the read/write heads to the drive
controller board. It carries electrical signals for data transfer and head control.

SCSI Interface Connector: (SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface) This is a
connector (usually rectangular) on the HDD that allows it to connect to the motherboard using a
SCSI cable. SCSI was an older interface standard, and modern HDDs typically use SATA (Serial
ATA) connectors.
Power and Configuration:
Jumper Pins: These are small pins on the drive controller board that can be configured with tiny
jumpers (shunts) to adjust settings like drive mode or master/slave selection (used in older
configurations).

Jumper: This is a small piece of plastic that connects two jumper pins, enabling a specific setting.

Power Connector: This is a connector that provides electrical power to the HDD for its operation.

Protection:
Tape Seal: This is a peel-able adhesive tape covering openings on the HDD casing. It helps
prevent dust from entering the sensitive internal components.

Read and Write Operation


The disk's Read-and-Write head, a diminutive component within a disk drive, hovers above the disk platter
and converts the platter's magnetic field into electric current (for reading data) or reversely, converts electric
current into a magnetic field (for writing data). Over time, these heads have undergone several modifications
and improvements.

Read Operation:

- Data Request: The computer sends a request to the HDD to read a specific piece of data.

- Head Positioning (Seek Time): The actuator arm precisely positions the read/write head over the
correct track on the platter containing the requested data. This movement is called seeking and can cause
a slight delay.

- Rotation (Rotational Latency): The platters constantly spin, so there's some wait time until the desired
sector with the data rotates under the read/write head. This is called rotational latency.

- Reading the Data: As the desired sector spins under the head, the magnetic field on the platter induces
a current in the head's coil. This current represents the digital data stored as magnetized patterns on the
platter.

- Data Transfer: The converted digital signal is sent to the computer's memory.
Write Operation:

- Data Transfer: The data to be written is sent from the computer's memory to the HDD controller.

- Head Positioning: Similar to read operation, the head is positioned over the target track on the platter.

- Data Conversion: The controller converts the digital data into a specific magnetic field pattern.

- Writing the Data: The electromagnet in the read/write head generates a magnetic field based on the
received data. This field magnetizes tiny areas on the platter surface, storing the data.

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