SECONDARY MEMORY

HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)

It is a secondary data storage unit of the computer. Since it stores data permanently, it is also called
permanent memory of the computer. Since it reads/writes data with the basis of magnet, it is also called Magnetic
memory of the computer. Since disk is fixed in the drive, it is also called Fixed Disk Drive (FDD).
Hard Disk Drive is not on invention of micro computer. The first HDD which was invented for Mainframe
computer had 20 inches diameter and stored only few megabytes of data on it. Later, it was used in micro
computers. Before the HDD, Floppy Disk Drive was in use to store data permanently. Now-a-days, we find each
computer having at least one HDD.
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF HDD
1) Disk platters
2) Spindle and spindle motor
3) Read & Write head
4) Head actuator motor & arm
5) Jumper & Connector
6) Logic board
7) Bezzle

1) DISK PLATTER
It is a circular disk where the data is stored in the form of magnetic bits. No of platters varies in different
Hard disks. It is made up of several type of materials mainly glass & aluminum.
2) SPINDLE & SPINDLE MOTOR
It rotates the disk platter. The speed of the HDD depends upon the speed of Spindle motor. It is measured
in RMP (Revolution or Round per Minute).
3) READ/WRITE HEAD
Head us used to read/write data on disk platter.
4) HEAD ACTUATOR MOTOR & ARM
It moves the head from outermost to inner most & from innermost to outermost part of the disk platter with
the help of Head actuator arm.
5) JUMPER & CONNECTOR
There are two types of connectors used in a HDD. One is called
Power Connector which is of 4 pins in PATA HDD and of 15 pins in
SATA HDD where we connect Molex connector provided by SMPS
through which it takes the power. Another is called Data Cable Connector
which has 40 pins in PATA HDD and 7 pins in SATA HDD where we
connect one end of the data cable & another end of the data cable with
IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) port for PATA HDD and with SATA
port for SATA HDD.

1
IDE – DATA CABLE
IDE- Data cable has three connectors whose one end is connected to the Mother board and rest ends to the
two devices like HDD, CDROM drive, etc.
In SATA HDD, we don’t configure the jumper as its cable has only 2 connectors.
In PATA HDD, when we connect single device through a single data cable we don’t need to configure the
jumper. But when we connect two IDE devices through a single data cable we must configure the jumper to make
one device as Master and another as Slave.
There is no common rule to connect the jumper. So, we must see the table provided on the label of the
HDD to configure the jumper.

6) LOGIC BOARD
It is a main control unit of the HDD. Logic board of the HDD controls overall performance of HDD. Most
of the HDD is damaged due to the damage of Logic board. If logic board of the HDD is damaged then we can easily
replace it but in practice we simply replace the HDD.
To replace the logic board of HDD, we must consider:
- The size (Capacity)
- The company
- The model of the HDD.
7) BEZZLE
It is an indicator light which shows whether HDD is working or not. The function of the Bezzle is done by
HDD (IDE) led which is situated on the front panel of the casing.
LOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HDD
OR
HARD DISK GEOMETRY
Any disk must be formatted before being used. Formatting means creating imaginary tracks and sectors
which are marked on the disk surface.
TRACKS
Tracks are concentric circles where data is recorded. They are numbered from outermost to innermost
starting with zero (0). Each track contains the same number of bytes.
SECTORS
Sectors are imaginary pie slices. It is the smallest data storage unit that can hold 512 bytes of data.
CLUSTER
It can be a group of sectors or a part of a sector. Size of cluster depends on the file system.
CYLINDER
Logical vertical group of tracks is called Cylinder.