Hard Disk Drive Checker For Laptop

CABATUAN NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School

Cabatuan, Iloilo
“HARD DISK DRIVE CHECKER FOR LAPTOP”
An undergraduate research paper
Is presented to
Cabatuan National Comprehensive High school
Cabatuan, Iloilo
By:
12-Nike
Joshua Alvien Caballero
Jane Bulatao
Rose Anne Enrique
Jinny Magcanam
Trexie Mahinay
Jessa Mae Mediana
Apriel Olveda
Lyka Pachejo
Christine Joy Somes
Kathleen Joy Uy
Senior High School
Cabatuan, Iloilo
Introduction
Chapter I has five parts: (1) Background and Conceptual Framework of
the Study, (2) Research Objectives, (3) Significance of the Study, (4) Definition
of Terms, and (5) Scope and Delimitation of the Study.
Background of the Study
The hard drive is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where
all your files and folders are physically located. A typical hard drive is only slightly
larger than your hand, yet can hold over 100 GB of data. The data is stored on a
stack of disks that are mounted inside a solid encasement. These disks spin
extremely fast (typically at either 5400 or 7200 RPM) so that data can be
accessed immediately from anywhere on the drive. The data is stored on the
hard drive magnetically, so it stays on the drive even after the power supply is
turned off (Christensson, Hard Drive Definition, 2006).
Laptop computers, also known as notebooks, are portable computers that
you can take with you and use in different environments. They include a screen,
keyboard, and a trackpad or trackball, which serves as the mouse. Because
laptops are meant to be used on the go, they have a battery which allows them
to operate without being plugged into a power outlet. Laptops also include a
power adapter that allows them to use power from an outlet and recharges the
battery (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2006).

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Amplifier, in electronics, a device that responds to a small input signal
(voltage, current, or power) and delivers a larger output signal that contains the
essential waveform features of the input signal. Amplifiers of various types are
widely used in such electronic equipment as radio and television receivers, high-
fidelity audio equipment, and computers. Amplifying action can be provided by
electromechanical devices (e.g., transformers and generators) and vacuum
tubes, but most electronic systems now employ solid-state microcircuits as
amplifiers. Such an integrated circuit consists of many thousands of transistors
and related devices on a single tiny silicon chip (Britanicca Encyclopeadia Inc.,
2009).
A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves
into an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may
be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other
digital audio device (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2013).
Speakers are one of the most common output devices used with computer
systems. Some speakers are designed to work specifically with computers, while
others can be hooked up to any type of sound system. Regardless of their
design, the purpose of speakers is to produce audio output that can be heard by
the listener.
Speakers are transducers that convert electromagnetic waves into sound
waves. The speakers receive audio input from a device such as a computer or an
audio receiver. This input may be either in analog or digital form. Analog

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speakers simply amplify the analog electromagnetic waves into sound waves.
Since sound waves are produced in analog form, digital speakers must first
convert the digital input to an analog signal, and then generate the sound waves
(Christensson, Tech Terms, 2010).
A hard disk drive (HDD) is an electro-mechanical data storage device that
uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information using one or more
rigid rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. But the only
problem of the HDD is that we can’t identify easily if it is functional or not unless
we disassemble the laptop or take it to the technician.
To solve this problem, the study aims to create a gadget that can easily
identify the functionality of the HDD by detecting the sound it produces. This
gadget will also help the students, teachers, technicians and people who use
laptops. They will just place the laptop above the HDD checker and align it on
the microphone so that the sound will be amplified and will be produced on the
speaker.
Objectives
The general objective of this study is to design, fabricate, and evaluate a
Hard Disk Drive Checker for Laptop. This gadget can be used as a tool to
determine if the hard disk drive internal or external is functional or not
functional. It will prove that this method will be more efficient and useful to
significant users.
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Specific objectives
1. To design a Hard Disk Drive Checker that is more significant for the users.
2. To fabricate the design of the said gadget with the use of systematic
method, in order to give comfortability to specific users.
3. To evaluate the invented gadget without bias and in systematic way.
Conceptual Framework
Input Throughput Output
 Planning  Creating a design  Hard Disk Drive
 Knowledge about the  Fabrication Checker for Laptop
topic  Evaluation
 Preceding designs  Abstraction
 Ideas  Conducting proper
 Data/information procedures
The table shows the method adopted in the study. The input of the
study is compose of: knowledge about the topic, information that could help in
the study and gathered from different sources, the preceding designs that will
serve as the basis in creating a more advance design of the said gadget.
Throughout the process, the abstraction of information will be applied, undergo

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careful planning and conducting proper procedures, until it will come up into the
production of tool. The resulting product will undergo into two series of
investigation: the technical evaluation and final evaluation, in the technical
evaluation the effectiveness of the product will be tested, and the final
evaluation, will show if the tool can be accepted. The output of the study is the
Hard Disk Drive Checker for checking the functionality of laptop hard drive may it
be internal or external.
Significance of the Study
This study is significant to the following:
Students and Teachers
This gadget can help the students and teachers to acquire complete
knowledge in determining the functionality of their laptop’s hard drive, internal or
external. It can also determine if there is a bad sector in hard drive by
functionality.
Technician
With this gadget, it could help the technician on their job to determine
easily about the functionality of the hard drive.
Researchers
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Through this tool it will be easy for other researchers in looking for the better
ideas in their studies. Through them the important of tools is not impossible.
Definition and Terms
The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally.
Hard Disk Drive. It is often used interchangeably with the terms "hard drive"
and "hard disk." However, the term "hard disk drive" is technically the most
accurate, since "hard drive" is short for "hard disk drive" and the "hard disk" is
actually contained within the hard disk drive. The HDD is the most
common storage device used to store data. (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2010)
In this study, we will be using hard disk drive for our checker.
Microphone. An instrument whereby sound waves are caused to generate or
modulate an electric current usually for the purpose of transmitting or
recording sound (such as speech or music). (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1828)
In this study, microphone will be transmitting or recording sounds that
made by the hard disk drive.
Amplifier. An electronic device (as in a stereo system) for amplifying voltage,
current, or power or the one that amplifies. (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1828)

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In this study, amplifier is an electronic component or circuit
for amplifying power, current, or voltage. An electronic device used to increase
the strength of the signal fed into speaker.
Speaker. One of the most common output devices used with computer
systems. Some speakers are designed to work specifically with computers, while
others can be hooked up to any type of sound system. Regardless of their
design, the purpose of speakers is to produce audio output that can be heard by
the listener. (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2010)
In this study, speaker will produce audio output from the laptop.
Laptop. A portable microcomputer having its main components (such as
processor, keyboard, and display screen) integrated into a single unit capable
of battery-powered operation. (Merriam Webster Dictionary , 1828)
In this study, laptop will also be used for our checker.
Scope and Delimitation
The Hard Disk Drive Checker has some unique feature in its design. The
checker has a microphone that records the sounds the HDD produces. It also has
an amplifier that receives an input signal from the HDD and creates an enlarged
replica of the original smaller signal. The speakers receive audio input from a
device such as laptops. This Hard Disk Drive Checker defines the functionality of
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a HDD by detecting the sound it produces. They will just place the laptop above
the HDD checker and align it on the microphone so that the sound will be
amplified and will be produced on the speaker.
The fabrication of the said tool will be done in Cabatuan National
Comprehensive High School. That will start on the month of November 2019 until
February 2020. This will undergo a series of evaluation of Information
Communication Technology (ICT) and research teachers. Through a systematic
planning and cooperation or every member in the group, this tool is expected to
be made successfully and will help a lot of significant users.

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PRIOR ARTS
Patent 1:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADDRESSING AND TESTING MORE
THAN TWO ATA/IDE DISK DRIVE ASSEMBLIES USING AN ISA BUS
Thomas E. Stanley,
Gilroy, California
Patent Number: 5, 644, 705
Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for addressing a plurality of AT Attachment, Integrated
Drive Electronics (ATA/IDE) disk drive assemblies from a single PC/AT there by
allowing the performance of manufacturing tests on multiple IDE drives using the
ISA bus. Other drive assemblies are address during the Substantial PC/AT CPU
and I/O idle time available during the testing of a selected drive assembly. The
system includes a PC/AT computer having an ISA bus, a plurality of ATA/IDE disk
drives, and a multi-master card disposed between the PC/AT and the plurality of
disk drives. The multi-master card includes an IDE controller card with a parallel
port. Signals are generated to select one of the pluralities of disk drives and ISA
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bus signals are routed to the selected disk drives. All the disk drives are disabled
but the selected disk drive and a three bit signal line is used to select the disk
drive for testing. Test capabilities are provided for in a standard, local, and
remote mode of operation. The addressing scheme allows all drives to be
addressed as master drives and each master on the bus can have a slave
attached.
Claims (20):
1. An interface between an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus and more
than two AT Attachment, Integrated Device Electronics (ATA/IDE) disk drives for
allowing the execution of manufacturing tests by a host CPU on the more than
two IDE drives using the ISA bus, the interface comprising: an IDE disk drive
controller for receiving control signals from the host CPU and providing test
instructions for the more than two IDE disk drives; a multi-master encoder,
coupled to the IDE disk drive controller, the encoder receiving the test
instructions from the IDE disk drive controller and receiving selection signals
from the CPU, the encoder further including a common output port for providing
data and test instructions to the more than two IDE disk drives and independent
control port for providing individual drive selection signals to each of the more
than two IDE disk drives from disabling all but one of the disk drives: a common
input/output (I/O) path, coupled to the common output port and the more than
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two IDE disk drives, for routing the data and test instructions from the encoder
to the more than two IDE drives; and independent signal paths, coupled to the
independent control port and the more than two IDE disk drives, for individually
routing the drive selection signals from the encoder to the multiple IDE drives for
disabling all but one of the disk drives such that one of the more than two IDE
disk drives is selected for testing, wherein each of the more than two IDE disk
drives operates as a master.
2. The interface of claim 1 wherein the independent signal paths further
comprises a three bit signal line.
3. The interface of claim 1 further comprising mode selection means for selecting
a mode of operation for the interface such that test functionality in a standard
local, and remote mode of operation is provided.
4. The interface of claim 3 wherein the standard mode of operation causes the
encoder to disable the more than two IDE disk drives and allows the CPU to
address a C drive coupled to the host CPU.
5. The interface of claim 4 wherein the CPU communicates with the system disk
drive using a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program contained on a mother
board of the host CPU.
6. The interface of claim 4 wherein the standard mode of operation is selected
by default at power-up of the CPU.

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7. The interface of claim 1 wherein the encoder further comprises a multiplexor
for receiving the selection signals and generating individual selection signal to
one of the more than two disk drives selected for testing.
8. The interface of claim 3 wherein the remote mode of operation enables the re-
buffering of the data and test instructions and the individual selection signals.
9. An apparatus for testing multiple AT Attachment Integrated Device Electronics
(ATA/IDE) disk drives through an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,
comprising: a computer having an ISA bus; more than two ATA/IDE disk drives,
each disk drive operating as a master; and an IDE disk drive controller for
receiving control signals from the host CPU and providing test instructions for the
more than two IDE disk drives; a multi-master encoder, coupled to the IDE disk
drive controller, the encoder receiving the test instructions from the IDE disk
drive controller and receiving selection signals from the CPU, the encoder further
including a common output port for providing data and test instructions to the
more than two IDE disk drives and independent control port for providing
individual drive selection signals to each of the more than two IDE disk drives for
disabling all but one of the disk drives; a common input/output (I/O) path,
coupled to the common output port and the more than two IDE disk drives, for
routing the data and test instructions from the encoder to the more than two IDE
drives; and independent signal paths, coupled to the independent control port
and the more than two IDE disk drives, for individually routing the drive selection
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signals from the encoder to the multiple IDE drives for disabling all but one of
the disk drives such that one of the more than two IDE disk drives is selected for
testing, wherein each of the more than two IDE disk drives operates as a master.
10. The interface of claim 9 wherein the independent signal paths further
comprises a three bit signal line.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising mode selection means for
selecting a mode of operation for the interface such that test functionality in a
standard, local, and remote mode of operation is provided.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the standard mode of operation causes
the encoder to disable the more than two IDE disk drives and allows the CPU to
address a C drive coupled to the host CPU.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the computer communicates with the
system disk drive using a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program contained
on a mother board of the computer.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the standard mode of operation is
selected by default at power-up of the computer.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the encoder further comprises a
multiplexor for receiving the selection signals and generating individual selection
signals to one of the more than two disk drives selected for testing.
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16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the remote mode of operation enables re-
buffering of the output from the multi-master encoder to drives located remotely
from the computer.
17. A method of testing more than two AT Attachment Integrated Device
Electronics (ATA/IDE) disk drives through an Industry Standard Architecture
(ISA) bus, each disk drive operating as a master, the method comprising the
steps of: converting test instructions from an IDE disk drive controller for the
more than two IDE disk drives using a multi-master encoder coupled to the IDE
disk drive controller; receiving selection signals from the CPU for selecting one of
the IDE disk drives; providing data and test instructions to the more than two
IDE disk drives; and providing individual drive selection signals to each of the
more than two IDE disk drives for disabling all of the more than two IDE disk
drives except for the selected IDE disk drive.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of selecting a mode of
operation, the mode of operation comprising a standard, local, or remote mode
of operation.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of selecting the standard mode of
operation further comprises disabling the more than two ATA/IDE disk drives and
allowing the CPU to address a system disk drive.

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20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of selecting the remote mode of
operation further comprises the steps of enabling the rebuffing of the data and
test instructions and the individual selection signals.

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Patent 2:
Hard disc drive verification tester
Scott D. Ulrich
Cary D. Johnson
Morse E. Magnuson
Patent number: 6, 434, 489 B1
Date of patent: Aug. 13, 2002
Abstract:
The invention provides a remotely-operable tester, designed to test multiple disc
drives utilizing different interfaces simultaneously. The tester performs tests
essentially similar to those performed by the manufacturer, and so is capable of
accurately diagnosing disc drive problems without requiring the return of
suspected defective disc drives to the manufacturer. Testers are attached to a
local computer, which controls operation of the testers and communicates test
results via a network connection to one or more other networked computers. The
tester is capable of regulating power supplied to the disc drives under test, and
of regulating the temperature within the tester. Each bay of the tester may be
configured to support a different disc drive interface, and a drive initiator card
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attached to each bay supports disc drive interface formats needed for the various
possible bay configurations
Claims (12)
1. A disc drives test apparatus, comprising:
a tester;
a plurality of bays within the tester, each bay capable of physically receiving disc
drives for test;
a drive initiator card corresponding to each bay, the drive initiator cards
operatively connected to disc drives for test inserted in each bay; and
a local computer connected to the tester, the local computer operable to control
the operation of the tester and to communicate results of the tests to remote
computers.
2. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tester is communicatively coupled
to one or more other testers, the coupled testers controllable from the connected
local computer.
3. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein each bay of the tester is individually
configurable to physically receive and electrically communicate with one of a
plurality of types of disc drive.

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4. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein each bay of the tester is designed to
meet the physical mounting specifications of the disc drive to be inserted in the
bay for test.
5. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more drive initiator cards
execute machine readable instructions that perform one or more tests on the
one or more connected disc drives.
6. The test apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a programmable power
supply connected to the one or more disc drives under test and operable to vary
voltage supplied to the one or more connected disc drives.
7. The test apparatus of claim 6, wherein the programmable power supply is
directed to perform a 4-corner margins test on the one or more disc drives under
test.
8. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the local computer communicates
results of the tests to remote computers via a network.
9. The test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tester is operable to test a disc
drives inserted in a bays in the tester where at least one bay is empty.
10. The test apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connection between the
local computer and the disc drives for test operable to provide communication
between the local computer and the disc drives.

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11. The test apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more fans operable
to regulate the airflow and temperature of the tester.
12. The test apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for transferring test
results to a remote computer.

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Patent 3:
APPARATUS FOR TESTING HARD DISK DRIVE
Min-won Bae
Gumi-si (KR); Sung-uk
Patent Number: US 2005/0010836A1
Date of Patent: January 13, 2005
Abstract:
A device testing apparatus, Such as a hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus,
using one host computer to test a plurality of the devices, such as to burn-in test
HDD’s. A host computer having at least two Serial communication ports is
communicably connected to power cards which Supply operating power to each
HDD to be tested. A Serial communication exchanger is communicably connected
to the Serial communication ports of the host computer and to the HDDS, and
responds to channel Selection instructions issued by the host computer to
selectively establish a Serial communication channel among HDDS, the power
card, and the host computer. The Single host computer conducts the testing of
the HDDs by communicating with the HDDs via the established Serial
communication channel.
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Claims (22):
1. A hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus, comprising: a host computer
having at least two serial communication ports; a power card which selectively
supplies operating power to each of a plurality of HDDs to be tested according to
the host computer; and a serial communication exchanger connected to the at
least two serial communication ports of the host computer, which responds to
channel selection instructions issued by the host computer via one of the serial
communication ports, and selectively establishes a serial communication channel
among the HDDs, and the host computer, wherein the host computer tests the
HDDs by communicating with the HDDs via the established serial communication
channel.
2. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a loading/unloading jig onto which one of the HDDs as an HDD is loaded for
testing and unloaded after the testing, the loading/unloading jig having a
connector which channels the operating power supplied from the power card to
the loaded HDD and connects a serial communication port of the loaded HDD to
the serial communication exchanger via the established serial communication
channel.
3. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power
card detects whether one of the HDDs is loaded in the loading/unloading jig and
transmits an HDD load result to the host computer.

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4. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising
light emitting diodes (LEDs) installed on the loading/unloading jig and controlled
by the power card in response to an LED control signal supplied from the host
computer, to show a test status and progress of the testing of the loaded HDD.
5. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: an
interface board disposed between the serial communication exchanger and the
connector of the loading/unloading jig adjusts a level of serial communication
signals transmitted between the serial communication exchanger and the loaded
HDD on the established serial communication channel.
a DC power supply supplying the HDD operating power to the power card to
selectively supply the HDD operating power to each of the plurality of HDDs to
be tested; and
an electricity board in communication with the host computer at initial operation
time of the apparatus and starting the DC power supply according to the host
computer.
7. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electricity
board controls an alarm lamp showing a normal/error status of the apparatus,
according to the host computer.

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8. A hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus, comprising: a burn-in chamber
where a plurality of HDDs are stacked; a host computer which communicates
with and performs a test on the HDDs stacked in the burn-in chamber; and a
serial communication exchanger which establishes a serial communication
channel between each HDD and the host computer, according to the host
computer.
9. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: an
interface board attached to a rear side of the burn-in chamber and supplying a
serial communication signal of the established serial communication channel and
operating power to the HDDs.
10. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
interface board adjusts a level of a control signal transmitted between the serial
communication exchanger and the HDD via the established serial communication
channel.
a loading/unloading jig onto which one of the HDDs as an HDD is loaded for
testing and unloaded after the testing, the loading/unloading jig having a
connector connecting a serial communication port of the loaded HDD to the
serial communication exchanger as the established serial communication
channel.
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a power card supplies operating power to the HDDs, and the power card detects
whether one of the HDDs is loaded on the loading/unloading jig and transfers an
HDD load result to the host computer.
13. The hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising
light emitting diodes (LEDs) installed on the loading/unloading jig and controlled
by the power card in response to an LED control signal supplied from the host
computer, to show a test status and progress of the testing of the loaded HDD.
14. A hard disk drive (HDD) testing apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of loadable and unloadable HDDs; and
a single host computer directly testing each loaded HDD regardless of each HDD
interface standard with the single host computer via selectively established
communication channels between the single host computer and each HDD.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HDDs each have a standard
universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) port, and wherein the single
host computer has one serial communication port and directly tests each HDD
via selectively established serial communication channels between the one serial
communication port of the single host computer and each HDD standard UART
port.
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16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the single host computer has the one
serial communication port as a first serial communication port and a second
serial communication port, and the apparatus further comprises:
a multi-port serial communication switch with circuitry communicably
connectable to the first and second serial communication ports of the single host
computer to establish a serial port selection channel according to the single host
computer to selectively establish the serial communication channel between the
second serial communication port of the single host computer and one of a
plurality of input/output serial ports of the switch connected to the serial ports of
the HDDs.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of
loading/unloading jigs onto which the HDDs are loaded and unloaded; anda
power controller connected via control lines to the loading/unloading jigs and
supplying power to the HDDs according to the single host computer, detecting
an HDD loading, and transmitting an HDD loading status to the single host
computer to selectively establish the serial communication between the loaded
HDD and the single host computer for the test.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a rectangular burn-in chamber
having a front side and rear side, and receiving the plurality of HDDs arranged in
a stack, wherein the burn-in chamber rear side is combinable with a rear side of
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a burn-in chamber of another HDD testing apparatus, thereby providing one
double-sided HDD testing apparatus.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a burn-in chamber receiving
the plurality of HDDs; and a fan circulating heat from the HDDs in the burn-in
chamber to maintain a room temperature burn-in chamber temperature, thereby
testing temperature reliability of the HDDs.
20. A device testing apparatus, comprising: a single host computer having first
and second serial communication ports; a plurality of devices with serial ports;
and a multi-port serial communication switch with circuitry communicably
connectable to the first and second serial communication ports of the single host
computer to establish a serial port selection channel according to the single host
computer to selectively establish a serial communication channel between the
second serial communication port of the single host computer and one of a
plurality of input/output serial ports of the switch connected to the serial ports of
the devices, wherein the single host computer tests each device by
communicating with the each device via the selectively established serial
communication channel.
21. A method, comprising: establishing a serial port selection channel between a
first serial communication port of a single host computer and a first port of a
serial communication exchanger; selectively establishing a serial data channel
among a second serial communication port of the single host computer, a second
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port of the serial communication exchanger, one of a plurality of input/output
serial ports of the serial communication exchanger and one of a plurality of
loaded hard disk drives (HDDs) to be tested, according to serial port selection
signals from the serial port selection channel in response to loading of the HDDs.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: transmitting loaded HDD route
information to the single host computer via the serial port selection channel, in
response to the loading of the HDDs; and transmitting the serial port selection
signals to the serial communication exchanger via the serial port selection
channel, according to the loaded HDD route information.

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Summary:
A hard disk drive (HDD) is an electro-mechanical data storage device that
uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information using one or more
rigid rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. But the only
problem of the HDD is that we can’t identify easily if it is functional or not unless
we disassemble the laptop or take it to the technician.
To solve this problem, the study aims to create a gadget that can easily
identify the functionality of the HDD by detecting the sound it produces. This
gadget will also help the students, teachers, technicians and people who use
laptops. They will just place the laptop above the HDD checker and align it on
the microphone so that the sound will be amplified and will be produced on the
speaker.
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Methodology
Design Criteria
A conceptual design of the device was prepared based on the information
of the gathered designs calculation for the types of the various parts of the
gadget as well as the material needed for the construction.
The Hard Disk Drive Checker is designed to determine the functionality of
the laptop’s hard drive may it be internal or external. Its main purpose is to
determine if the internal or external hard drive for laptops is functioning well.
Design Plan Preparation
The design and the specification of the gadget are intended only to the
design and plans of the gadget of the researchers and the raw materials
available can be found within the area. The design according to the objectives
was described by the researchers in their project. This project was fabricated by
ten researchers the ICT students of Cabatuan National Comprehensive High
School.
Description of the Gadget
This gadget is used as an instrument in determining the
functionality of the Laptop’s Hard Drive, external or internal for the students and
teachers. This gadget has the same size of a netbook for the convenience of the
Senior High School
Cabatuan, Iloilo
user if he/she wants to bring it. The gadget has adjustable microphones and
amplifiers that will amplify the sounds and will be attached to the speaker to
hear the sound of the hard drive if it is functioning well. It is enclosed by a
wooden box. This gadget will be using electricity.
Tools and Equipment
The following are the tools and equipment that were used in the construction of
the Hard Disk Drive Checker:
Quantity Unit Description Function and Uses
2 Unit Speaker -produces audio
output that can be
heard by the
listener.
1 Unit Amplifier -used to amplify
signals in the
range of human
hearing.
1 Unit Microphone -captures audio by
converting sound
waves into an
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Cabatuan, Iloilo
electrical signal.
Constructional Procedures
The procedure of the gadget is enumerated according to the Hard Drive.
Specification required in assembling the Hard Disk Drive Checker for Laptop.
1. Planning the Gadget. It is the process of making a decision and designing
of what the gadget would look like. The researchers should consider the
availability of the materials needed for the fabrication.
2. Lay-outing of the Gadget. It is the process of identifying the parts of the
gadgets needed by using a planned drawing with an exact dimensions of
the said gadgets.
3. Gathering supplies and materials. It is the process of finding and buying
the materials needed for the fabrication of the gadgets.
4. Constructing the Gadgets according to the planned design.
5. Testing the finish Gadget. It is the process of testing and evaluating the
gadgets.
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Cabatuan, Iloilo
Test Evaluation Procedure
The gadget was subject to pilot testing after its construction. The pilot
testing will be at the ICT Laboratory of Cabatuan National Comprehensive High
School. Teachers and students were the ones who observe the performance of
the gadgets. The results made by the experts were based on their observation
regarding to the performance of the gadget.
Instrumentation
The instrument used was a stopwatch to compute the time consumed
during operation.
In terms of the acceptability of the tool a researcher made questionnaire
together with the results of the technical evaluation was used to determine the
acceptability of the gadgets in terms of design, efficiency, timeliness and
portability as evaluated by group of experts. The questionnaire used for final
evaluation was provided with 5 choices: Highly, acceptable with the scale of 5;
Very Acceptable 4; Fairly Acceptable, 3;Need Revision 2; Not Acceptable with a
scale of 1. This scale is presented in the following below:
Rating Scale and interpretation in the Accountability of Design, and fabrication of
a Customize LAN Tester
4.21 – 5.00 Highly Acceptable

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Cabatuan, Iloilo
3.41 – 4.20 Very Acceptable
2.61 – 3.40 Fairly Acceptable
1.61 – 2.60 Need Revision
1.00 – 1.80 Not Acceptable
The formulation of the scale of interpretation shown in the table 1, the
highest scale which is 5 was subtracted by the lowest scale of 1 to obtain a
range of 4. However, there are 5 interpretations; thus, 4 was divided by 5,
making an interval of 0.8. The process is presented below.
R = Highest Scale – Lowest Scale
I = Range/Number of Scale
R=5–1=4
I = 4/5 = 0.8
Legend:
R – Range
I – Interval
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Data Gathering
The data gathered is the time consumed by a Hard Disk Drive Checker in
determining the functionality of the laptops hard drive may it be internal or
external.
Materials
Table 2: Materials needed to construct the Customize LAN Tester for LAN Testing
Simulation
Quantity Unit Item Description Unit Price Total Price
Screws
Plywood
Principle of Operation
1. Turn on the Hard Disk Drive Checker
2. Put the Laptop aligned to the microphone
3. Make sure that the laptop is on or the external hard drive is connected to
your laptop.
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Cabatuan, Iloilo
Features of the Gadgets
The following are the features of the Hard Drive Checker;
Low Cost – this gadget has a lesser cost compared to others.
Seek Test- to verify hard disk noise that can determine if it is functional or
non-functional.
Unique Design- the design of this gadget was well planned in order to be
different from other tools.
Parameters Analysis
The parameters analyzed are the efficiency, time and the cost analysis of the
gadgets. It was determined through the use of the gadgets during operation.
Efficiency - the efficiency Hard Disk Drive Checker will be analyzed.
Time- the Hard Disk Drive Checker was designed to consume short period of
time during operation.
Fabrication – the Hard Disk Drive Checker is properly fabricated. The points and
corners are properly assembled.
Design - the Hard Disk Drive Checker has a unique and simple design compare to
others.
Senior High School
Cabatuan, Iloilo
References
Bibliography
Britanicca Encyclopeadia Inc. (2009, March 18). Retrieved October 29, 2019,
from www.britanicca.com: https://britanicca.com/technology/amplifier
Christensson, P. (2006). Hard Drive Definition. Retrieved October 29, 2019, from
https;//techterms,com/definition/harddrive
Christensson, P. (2006). Tech Terms. Retrieved October 29, 2019, from
www.techterms.com: https://techterms.com/definition/laptop
Christensson, P. (2010, February 27). Tech Terms. Retrieved October 29, 2019,
from www.techterms.com: https://techterms.com/definition/speaker
Christensson, P. (2010, February 27). Tech Terms. Retrieved December 17,
2019, from www.techterms.com: https://techterms.com/definition/hdd
Christensson, P. (2013, June 5). Tech Terms. Retrieved October 29, 2019, from
www.techterms.com: https://www.techterm.com/definition/microphone
Google patent. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2019, from www.googlepatent.com:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US6434498B1/en?
oq=hardware+checker+for+hard+disk+drive
Google Patent. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2019, from www.googlepatent.com:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20050010836?
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Cabatuan, Iloilo
oq=hard+drive+tester+hardware
Google Patent. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2019, from www.googlepatent.com:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5644705A/en?
oq=hardware+checker+for+hard+disk+drive
Merriam Webster Dictionary . (1828). Retrieved December 17, 2019, from
www.merriam-webster.com:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laptop
Merriam Webster Dictionary. (1828). Retrieved December 17, 2019, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laptop
Merriam Webster Dictionary. (1828). Retrieved December 17, 2019, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microphone
Reinhold, F. (1898). eric. digests and tech. ed. Retrieved january 31, 2019, from
www.ericdigests.org: https://ericdigests.org/pre-9214/local.htm

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CABATUAN NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Senior High School

“HARD DISK DRIVE CHECKER FOR LAPTOP”

An undergraduate research paper

Cabatuan National Comprehensive High school

Joshua Alvien Caballero

Rose Anne Enrique

Jessa Mae Mediana

Christine Joy Somes

Chapter I has five parts: (1) Background and Conceptual Framework of

of Terms, and (5) Scope and Delimitation of the Study.

Background of the Study

turned off (Christensson, Hard Drive Definition, 2006).

Laptop computers, also known as notebooks, are portable computers that

keyboard, and a trackpad or trackball, which serves as the mouse. Because

battery (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2006).

Amplifier, in electronics, a device that responds to a small input signal

widely used in such electronic equipment as radio and television receivers, high-

fidelity audio equipment, and computers. Amplifying action can be provided by

electromechanical devices (e.g., transformers and generators) and vacuum

tubes, but most electronic systems now employ solid-state microcircuits as

amplifiers. Such an integrated circuit consists of many thousands of transistors

A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting sound waves

into an electrical signal. This signal can be amplified as an analog signal or may

be converted to a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other

digital audio device (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2013).

Speakers are one of the most common output devices used with computer

others can be hooked up to any type of sound system. Regardless of their

design, the purpose of speakers is to produce audio output that can be heard by

Speakers are transducers that convert electromagnetic waves into sound

waves. The speakers receive audio input from a device such as a computer or an

audio receiver. This input may be either in analog or digital form. Analog

(Christensson, Tech Terms, 2010).

A hard disk drive (HDD) is an electro-mechanical data storage device that

we disassemble the laptop or take it to the technician.

The general objective of this study is to design, fabricate, and evaluate a

determine if the hard disk drive internal or external is functional or not

method, in order to give comfortability to specific users.

3. To evaluate the invented gadget without bias and in systematic way.

Input Throughput Output

 Planning  Creating a design  Hard Disk Drive

 Knowledge about the  Fabrication Checker for Laptop

 Preceding designs  Abstraction

 Ideas  Conducting proper

Throughout the process, the abstraction of information will be applied, undergo

investigation: the technical evaluation and final evaluation, in the technical

Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the following:

Students and Teachers

knowledge in determining the functionality of their laptop’s hard drive, internal or

external. It can also determine if there is a bad sector in hard drive by

easily about the functionality of the hard drive.

Definition and Terms

The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally.

common storage device used to store data. (Christensson, Tech Terms, 2010)

Microphone. An instrument whereby sound waves are caused to generate or

modulate an electric current usually for the purpose of transmitting or

recording sound (such as speech or music). (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1828)

In this study, microphone will be transmitting or recording sounds that

made by the hard disk drive.

Amplifier. An electronic device (as in a stereo system) for amplifying voltage,

current, or power or the one that amplifies. (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1828)