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Hard Disk

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device essential for long-term data retention in computers, used for installing operating systems and storing files. HDDs come in various storage capacities, ranging from 16 GB to 36 TB, and consist of components like platters, actuators, and read/write heads. Additionally, file systems, such as NTFS and FAT32, organize and manage data on storage devices, with formatting preparing them for use.

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7 views11 pages

Hard Disk

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device essential for long-term data retention in computers, used for installing operating systems and storing files. HDDs come in various storage capacities, ranging from 16 GB to 36 TB, and consist of components like platters, actuators, and read/write heads. Additionally, file systems, such as NTFS and FAT32, organize and manage data on storage devices, with formatting preparing them for use.

Uploaded by

suneshikumarasinghe
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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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HARD DISK

&
FILE SYSTEM
Hard disk
 A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device
Non-volatile refers to storage devices that maintain stored data when
turned off. All computers need a storage device, and HDDs are just one
type.

 HDDs are usually installed in desktop computers, consumer electronics


and enterprise storage arrays in data centers. They store operating
systems, software programs and other files using magnetic disks

 HDDs are used either as the primary or secondary storage device in a


computer.

Why do computers need hard disk?


 Storage devices like hard disks are essential for installing OS, programs,
and storing files. Unlike RAM, which is volatile and only holds data
temporarily, HDDs provide long-term storage, ensuring data is retained
even after the computer is turned off. This makes storage devices
necessary for saving files like music, pictures, and videos.

Hard disk drive storage capacity


 Common HDD storage capacities range from 16 GB to 36 TB
Storage Capacity Typical Use Case
 16 GB – 64 GB  Found in older/smaller devices,
minimal storage needs
 120 GB – 256 GB  Entry-level computers, basic
programs & files
 500 GB  General users, music, photos, videos,
documents
 1 TB – 2 TB  Gamers, high-storage users, video
editing
 More than 2 TB  Professionals handling high-
resolution files, backups, data
storage
 Up to 36 TB  Enterprise use, large-scale data
storage, cloud backups
Parts of a hard disk drive
 Air filter - It helps maintain a clean internal environment to avoid head
crashes and platter contamination.
 Platter - a circular disk in an HDD where data is stored using magnetic
polarity.
 spindle - holds and spins the platters at high speeds, affecting data
read/write speed.
 Actuator - powered by a voice coil motor
 Actuator arm - holds the read/write heads and moves them across the
platters
 Read/Write Head - moves across the platter surfaces to read or write data
by altering the platter's magnetic properties

hard disk drive brands

 Seagate
 Western Digital (WD)
 Toshiba
 Hitachi
 Samsung

SSD & NVMe


 SSDs are faster, more durable (with no moving parts), and energy-
efficient.
 NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a high-speed storage protocol
that uses the PCIe interface for faster data transfer and lower latency than
SATA.
It is ideal for tasks requiring quick read/write speeds, like gaming and
video editing.

Hard Disk Partition


 A hard disk partition is a logically divided section of a physical hard drive. It
acts as a separate storage unit, allowing users to organize data, install
multiple operating systems, or improve performance and security.

Reasons to Use Hard Disk Partitions-


 Partitions can also help manage multiple operating systems on the same
drive and prevent data loss by isolating critical files.

Format
 Disk formatting is the process of preparing a storage device (HDD, SSD,
USB) for initial use, sometimes creating new file systems.
File System
 A file system is a method used by an operating system to organize, store,
retrieve, and manage data on a storage device (e.g., hard drive, SSD,
USB)

Why is a File System Important?


 Organizes and stores data efficiently.
 Allows the operating system to locate and manage files.

 Supports security features like permissions and encryption.

Windows File system


 Windows supports multiple file systems, each designed for different
purposes. The main file systems used in Windows are NTFS, FAT32, and
FAT16
NTFS (New Technology File Default file system used by Windows
System) for internal storage drives like HDDs
and SSDs.
FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32) Widely used file system that provides
broad compatibility across different
devices and operating systems. It is
an older file system
FAT16 (File Allocation Table 16) Early version of the FAT file system,
primarily used in older computers,
DOS systems, and early versions of
Windows.

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