Introduction: ITS1 : Hard Drives
Description of a Hard Drive's Functionality
A hard drive is a hardware component that stores the data of your computer/PC. The hard drive is connected to the motherboard with the help of a SATA cable, which helps the drive exchange data with the motherboard. Hard drives are non-volatile storage, which means that data is retained whether the computer is on or off. One way how hard drives store data is : in hard-disk drives (HDD), data is stored magnetically on the platters that are situated inside the physical hard drive.
SOURCES :
https://www.backblaze.com/blog/life-and-times-of-a-backblaze-hard-drive/
Step 1: Architecture of Hard Drives & Technical Explanation of Functionality (HDD)
Architecture
1) Platter ('disk' as in the diagram) : This is where the data is magnetically stored. The platter is composed of two basic layers : a glass or aluminium substrate and a magnetic media coating.
2) Read/Write Heads : This is attached to the end of the actuator assembly, and the heads fly less than 10 nano-meters above the platter surface to read and write data.
3) Actuator Assembly ('E-block' as in the diagram) : The mechanism that seeks across the platters and contains the read/write heads.
4) Spindle Motor : This controls the rotation of platters at up to 15,000 RPM (revolutions per minute).
5) Voice Coil & Magnet : These are the components of the actuator that move it by electromagnetic force.
6) Platter Parking : The actuator “parks” on this landing ramp off the platters to avoid media contact during impact.
Technical Explanation of Functionality
The platter on a hard-disk drive (HDD) is responsible for storing the data in the form of magnetic fields. A platter is divided into tracks, which is further divided into sectors; tracks are concentric circles & sectors are pie-shaped wedges on the tracks. Magnetic impulses with either positive or negative polarities represent the data stored on the magnetic layer of a hard disk’s platters. A positive polarity represents a ‘1’ in the language of binary code, and a negative polarity represents a ‘0.’ Data on the platter is stored in the form of 0s and 1s, which is known as a “bit.” To write data on the hard disk drive, a magnetic field is placed on the tiny field in one of these two polarities : N-S (if North pole arrives before the South pole) and S-N (if the South pole arrives before the North pole) while the field is accessed. An orientation in one direction (like N-S) can represent ‘1’ while the opposite orientation (S-N) represents ‘0.’ This polarity is sensed by integrated controllers built within the hard disk. Data is written onto the disc by converting strings of bits into electrical current fed through an electromagnet, which can generate a field strong enough to change the direction of the bits' magnetization. Once this information is written onto the disc, the drive uses a magnetic reader to turn it back into a useful form. Magnets are well-suited to be used to store binary numbers with the North pole (negative polarity) representing ‘0’ and the South pole (positive polarity) representing ‘1.’ This type of magnetic storage is very stable compared with other methods for HDDs because magnets, once set, will stay in the orientation in which they are set, unless something makes them change it. To read data from the hard disk drive, the “head,” which only flies about 10-20 nano-meters, over the platter goes to the tiny areas of magnetic North or South on the platter, notices if the spot is North or South, and deduces the stored information as 0’s & 1’s.
SOURCES :
Diagram : https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Mechanical-components-of-a-typical-hard-disk-drive_f ig8 _2 243 2 3123 / http://naja-also.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-read-lcc-of-your-hard-drive.html2
Architecture : https://drivesaversdatarecovery.com/app/device-simulators/hard-drive
Technical Explanation of Functionality : https://brebru.com/harddrives/howharddriveswork.html#:~:text=Magnetic%20impulses%20with%20either%20positive,is%20known%20as%20a%20bit./https://humfaltu.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/how-data-is-stored-on-hard-disk//https://www.engineersgarage.com/how_to/how-data-is-stored-on-hard-disk/#:~:text=Data%20is%20stored%20on%20the,form%20of%200%20and%201.&text=Hard%20disk%20stores%20information%20in,each%20region%20represents%20a%20bit.3/ https://cs.stanford.edu/people/nick/how-hard-drive-works/#:~:text=The%20hard%20drive%20contains%20a,the%20stored%200's%20and%201's
Step 2: History of Hard Drives
The first hard disk drive was produced by IBM in 1956, and it was called RAMAC 305 (short for Random Access Method of Accounting and Control). This hard-disk drive could only store 5MB of data (which was a huge amount at that time). This hard disk storage system was about the size of two refrigerators, weighed about 2,140 pounds (971kg), and that's why it required an entire / a good portion of the room to operate. Inside this hard disk drive, there were 50 24-inch platters that were stacked on a spindle that rotated at 1,200 rpm to store data.
The first removable hard drive was created in 1963, which was known as the IBM 1311. This hard disk drive contained 6 14-inch platters and was able to hold 2.6MB of data.
In 1980, a young company named Shugart Technology introduced a 5MB hard disk drive designed to fit into personal computers of the day. It was 5.25 inches in diameter, and it cost about $1,500. (Shugart changed its name to Segate Technology).
The first commercial flash-based SSD was shipped by SanDisk in 1991. It was a 20MB SSD in a PCMCIA configuration, sold OEM for around $1,000, and was used by the IBM in a ThinkPad laptop.
Hard drive technology has shrunk from a device the size of a refrigerator in the late 1950s to an object that is less than 6 inches in diameter today. Throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, hard drives evolved a lot: 5.25-inch drives soon gave way to 3.5-inch drives, and drives shrunk to 2.5-inch drives when laptops gained popularity. Now, one can buy a 1-TB 3.5-inch drive for as low as $35, whereas one had to pay thousands of dollars to buy/lease a hard drive that was about the size of two refrigerators.
SOURCES :
Diagram - https://nautil.us/blog/the-brilliant-baloney-slicer-that-started-the-digital-age/ http://basecomputereducation.blogspot.com/2017/08/first-disk-drive-ibm-1311.html/ https://www.computerhistory.org/storageengine/seagate-5-25-inch-hdd-becomes-pc-standard// https://www.computerhistory.org/storageengine/solid-state-drive-module-demonstrated/
https://www.backblaze.com/blog/history-hard-drives// https://www.pingdom.com/blog/amazing-facts-and-figures-about-the-evolution-of-hard-disk-drives/#:~:text=The%20first%20hard%20disk%20drive%20(RAMAC%2030 5%20produced%20by%20IBM,drive%20that%20arrived%20in%201980. /https://www.westerndigital.com/company/innovations/history
Step 3: How to Remove & Install a Hard Drive
How to Remove a Hard Drive
1) Turn off your computer and unplug the power source.
2) Open the computer case.
3) Locate the hard drive in the case.
4) Unplug the power and data (SATA) cables connected to the hard drive.
5) Loosen the screws that secures the hard drive to the case.
6) Now, you can take the hard drive out of the case. (Put it in an anti-static bag if available)
How to Install a Hard Drive
1) Turn off your computer and unplug the power source.
2) Open the computer case.
3) Make sure you are able to locate a "free" expansion slot where you can install the hard drive.
4) Use a hard drive that is compatible with your machine, and secure the hard drive (with screws).
5) Connect the data (SATA) connector coming from the motherboard to the hard drive properly.
6) Connect the power connector coming from the power supply to the hard drive properly.
7) Close the case/tower.
8) Plug in the computer and the hard drive should start spinning.
9) If the hard drive is empty, then install an operating system.
SOURCES :
Diagram : https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19127-01/ultra27.ws/820-6776/gifnm/index.html/ https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19127-01/ultra27.ws/820-6776/gifsa/index.html
Step 4: Interfaces / Form Factors
Interfaces
The two main types of interfaces of hard drives include the older IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) also called PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment), and the new SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment). IDE/PATA was first developed by Western Digital and Compaq in 1986 for compatible hard drives and CD or DVD drives. On the other hand, SATA was launched by the Serial ATA Working Group in 2003. SATA is the successor of PATA connectors, and it is a better & faster version of PATA connectors. PATA & SATA are both bus interfaces that connect hard drives and optical drives to the motherboard.
Form Factors
The two most common form factors for HDD are 3.5-inch drives for desktop computers, and 2.5-inch drives primarily for laptops. The 3.5-inch hard drive was produced by Scottish company, Rodime, in 1983; PrairieTek released the first 2.5-inch hard drive in 1986, especially designed for use in notebook computers.
SOURCES :
Diagram : http://www.computerupgradesrepairs.co.uk/hdd.htm/https://www.m2wificards.com/2-5-vs-3-5-hdd/
Information : https://thinkcomputers.org
Step 5: Fault Tolerance / Enhancement Technologies
Fault Tolerance
RAID is an example of fault tolerance for hard drives. It stands for "Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks," which means that it is a way of logically putting multiple disks together into a single array. There are different types of RAID configurations for fault tolerance. For example, RAID 1 is a fault tolerance configuration that is known as "mirroring." In this configuration, data is being mirrored/copied over equally across the drives in the array. Therefore, the point of RAID 1 is primarily redundancy; if you completely lose a drive, then you can still stay up & running off the other drive, where you have an exact-copy of the previous drive. There are also other RAID configurations, such as RAID 5 (which involves striping + parity), RAID 10 (which involves mirroring + striping), etc.
Enhancement Technology
HAMR is a technology that is designed to enable the next big increase in the amount of data that can be stored on a hard drive. It stands for "Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording," which means that it is a magnetic storage technology that can increase the amount of data stored on a magnetic device, such as a hard disk drive, by temporarily heating the disk material during writing (for example). This technology allows data bits, or grains, to become smaller and more densely packed, while remaining magnetically stable, which allows room for more storage. A small laser diode attached to each recording head will heat a tiny spot on the disk, which enables the recording head to flip the magnetic polarity of each bit, enabling data to be written in smaller & more densely packed data bits.
SOURCES :
Diagram : https://www.datanumen.com/blogs/raid-level-suitable-playing-game/
Information : https://www.steadfast.net/blog/almost-everything-you-need-know-about-raid#:~:text=RAID%20stands%20for%20Redundant%20Array,of%20a%20more%20expensive%20disk./ https://blog.seagate.com/craftsman-ship/hamr-next-leap-forward-now/#:~:text=HAMR%20is%20a%20technology%20designed,ever%2C%20while%20remaining%20magnetically%20stable.
Step 6: Common Symptoms of Failure
Some common symptoms of a hard disk drive failure are :
1) Grinding sound : This is one of the worst possible scenario with hard drive failure. If your hard drive is making a grinding noise, then it means that the hard drive has suffered from a head crash and the drive's read-write head has come into contact with the platter. This may be caused by mishandling or head assembly component failure, which results in media surface contact. If allowed to continue, then the read-write head could damage the entire hard drive by stripping away the data.
2) Contamination failure : Opening a hard drive could be the major cause for this type of hard drive failure. If you open a hard drive, then there is a chance of dust, debris, or maybe your own fingerprint making contact with the platter of the hard disk drive. This could potentially damage the hard drive and cause it to fail, resulting in data loss.
3) Bad sectors : Some sectors of the hard drive may be damaged or faulty. If the hard drive is rapidly developing bad sectors, then it may be a sign that the hard drive is failing. Bad sectors (software) occur when an error correction code on a sector doesn't match the content of the same sector. This is usually due to some kind of logical error on the disk, which is caused by virus or malware corruption, or the failing to shut down the operating system properly.
SOURCES :
Diagram : https://ericscomputerservices.com/physically-damaged-hard-drive-with-fingerprint-contamination-99-data-extraction//https://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/clone-resource/bad-sector-repair-software.html
Information : https://drivesaversdatarecovery.com/app/crash-a-hard-drive
Step 7: Diagnostic / Technician Tools
Some diagnostic/technician tools for hard drives are :
1) Anti-static wrist strap (ESD strap) : this strap is useful, especially when handling an SSD (solid-state drive) because SSDs are prone to failure from electrostatic discharge, which can be prevented from an ESD strap.
2) CrystalDiskInfo : The CrystalDiskInfo is a hard drive diagnostic utility that can inform you about the condition of your hard drive by reading the S.M.A.R.T. information. To view your hard disk drive's health state with CrystalDiskInfo, you need to download and install the CrystalDiskInfo application, then launch it in your desktop.
3) TestDisk : This diagnostic tool allows you to repair boot sectors, recover deleted partitions, fix damaged partition tables, and recover deleted data, as well as copy files from deleted/inaccessible partitions.
SOURCES :
https://www.repairwin.com/best-hard-drive-test-diagnostic-tools-to-check-hard-disks-health//https://www.amazon.com/Static-Wrist-Straps-Adjustable-Grounding/dp/B07H2D89LV/ https://offlinesetups.com/software/testdisk-offline-installer-setup-for-windows-download-free/
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