Introduction
A computer hard drive also known as a hard disc is a storage device that is used to record and read data which is represented by a collection of magnetized particles on some spinning platters. A hard drive can also be referred to as the long-term memory of a computer that preserves data programs and the computer’s operating system. The internal components of a hard drive cannot be easily seen as it is usually not left exposed especially when the hard drive is in operation. There are about four platters in a hard drive that can be visible when one opens up the computer system. Each of the platters usually has a diameter of 3½ inches. The platters are coated with some magnetically sensitive material on both sides and then stacked on a spindle (Messme, 2011). The spindle and the platters are then rotated using a motor inside the hard drive. The speed at which the discs rotate determines the speed at which data can be read from the discs or written on to the discs.
The patters inside the hard drive are made up ceramic and aluminum materials. This combination is preferred as it keeps heat low whenever it is generated. There is Read/Write head that moves over the disc through an actuator. The head moves over tracks which are groove-like structures. The grooves are further divided into sectors which are the smallest units on the platter. The bytes on the sectors are addressed within their positions on the sector. The read/write head reads/writes information respectively on the drive through scanning the sectors in the cylinder. This is a continuous process that is done by the head until all the desired tasks have been addressed.
In the older computers, parallel ATA was the most commonly used method for connection since Serial COM was very slow. However, there is a new technology called the serial ATA which is set to be even faster than the parallel ATA. The PATA was the most common method of connecting the computers hard drives. The introduction of SATA is fast making the use of the PATA technology extinct. There are several advantages of using the SATA over the PATA. The PATA cables were limited to about only 18 inches while the SATA cables can go for up to 1 meter long. The PATA cables are also known to be more bulky and require more power as compared to the SATA cables. The SATA cables are also faster than the PATA cables. This has made their use more popular as compared to the use of PATA cables.
RAID is an acronym that means Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disk. This is a technology that is used for storing information through redundancy. It provides for increased reliability of the storage device as it combines multiple disk drive components into a unit whereby data is distributed across different drives. This scheme can divide and replicate data thus enabling data to be available even if one of the storage components fails. This technology aims at increasing data reliability and also increases the input/out performance of the storage device. Most companies prefer the use of RAID as t helps in creating backups such that even if there is a problem with a given storage device, data can till be available from a different source whereby data was kept.
The floppy discs are computer storage devices composed of a thin flexible magnetic medium enclosed inside a plastic carrier. This type of storage device has undergone a series of changes since its inception. It is not commonly used in the modern PCs. Actually most of the modern PCs do not have a floppy disc drive. They are unpopular since they have been superseded by more modern data storage methods which have greater capacities and not prone to failures as it has been the case with the floppy disc drives.
Flash memories are non-volatile type of computer storage chip which can be erased and reprogrammed electronically. This type of storage was developed from the EEPROM technology. In order for data to be written onto the device, the previously existing data must be erased so as to create space for the writing of the new set of data. It is currently one of the most common methods of data storage with the modern PCs.
Optical disc is a type of a flat circular disc which is used for encoding binary data in form of pits and lands. The data is encoded onto an aluminum surface of the disc. The encoding is done through a spiral form onto the surface of the disc. The data is stored using a laser or a stamping machine used to stick the data onto the surface. In order for the stored data and information to be assessed, an illuminator is used to light up the surface and then the data read from the surface.
Conclusion
The field of technology has undergone a series of transformations since the first computer was invented. The transformations have been propagated by the need for better and efficient devices that can sufficiently handle large amounts of data. Older computers had huge hard drives that had a relatively slow rotating speed thus slow in terms of operations. The hard drives have undergone a series of transformations and the current hard drives have bigger capacity and a high performance. Most computers have been transformed and no longer use floppy drives instead they use the optical discs and the flash memories for storing data. The SCSI devices are also no longer available in the market as the technology is nowadays considered outdated.
References
Mike Chin (2004). IS the Silent PC Future 2.5-inches wide?
Mueller, Scott (2011). Upgrading and Repairing PCs
Messmer, Hans-Peter (2001). The Indispensable PC Hardware Book. Addison-Wesley.
