A hard drive is a crucial component of modern computers, storing important files and programs. There are two types: internal and external. The delicate nature of hard drives makes them susceptible to damage, but handling them gently and keeping them dust-free can help avoid problems. Solid-state drives (SSDs) and hybrid drives are alternatives to traditional hard drives, but they can be more expensive. If a hard drive fails, repairs can be costly and should be done by a professional. Regularly backing up data can protect against data loss.
A hard drive, also known as a hard disk drive (HDD), is a fundamental part of modern computers. Acting as an internal storage device, it allows a computer to host and execute important files and programs, such as the machine’s operating system, and its components work together to actively seek, read, and write data about the system and user-generated files . The delicate nature of the standard hard drive makes it susceptible to damage and data corruption or loss, however, repairing or replacing it can be expensive. Damage can often be avoided by minimizing the unit’s exposure to environmental factors, such as dust and rough handling.
Indoor units
There are two main types of hard drives: internal and external. The internal drive is a computer’s primary storage area, and typically contains the operating system and programs that you manually install. Most computers designate it as drive C and program installation will be on this primary partition by default. Modern computers often have several hundred gigabytes of storage space, which provides enough room for the average user’s collection of applications, documents, and multimedia content throughout the life of the computer. An internal drive usually connects to the computer via Parallel Advanced Technology (PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), or Small Computer System Interface (SCSI).
External drives
External drives are usually used to hold backup copies of documents and programs, to store archived files, or to hold large data files that are not used regularly, among other things. They usually don’t include the operating system or programs needed to run the computer. Most connect to your machine via a USB or FireWire® connection, although some wireless models are also available. They are also sometimes referred to as portable drives, as they can often be easily moved from one computer to another.
Memory technology
A traditional hard drive uses memory storage technology similar to that of cassette and video tapes. Just like tapes, these drives contain round mirrored platters covered in a delicate magnetic material. The platters are usually made from glass or aluminum, but can appear shiny due to the shiny magnetic material on their surfaces.
Just as the head inside a cassette player or VCR reads data on a tape, a head inside a hard disk drive reads and writes data to platters. When it writes, the head causes the magnetic material on the platters to change the direction to represent binary bits of data, which are saved and can then be read. Positioned on one arm near the cymbals, the head rotates back and forth over them, constantly searching for or writing down new information.
Internal components
The average modern hard drive has several platters inside it, stacked on top of each other, like a sandwich cookie. A small gap between each plate allows heads to pass over them. The heads are based on the same arm but have separate branches, much like the prongs of a fork turned to their side.
When you turn on a computer, the platters immediately start spinning. Those in a desktop computer’s hard drive typically get up to about 7,200 rotations per minute (RPM), while drives in laptop computers usually run at 5,400 RPM, although it’s not uncommon to see high-end drives reaching 10,000 or even 15,000 RPMs. When the unit’s fan is not running, you can hear the constant whirring of the rotation.
The platters continue to spin, even if no data fetch or memory write occurs. The arm only moves when a program is run or a file is opened, saved or deleted. During these processes, the arm can traverse the surface up to 50 times in just one second. The head never actually touches the cymbals, but just skims over them, supported by a moving cushion of air generated by the rotating discs.
Solid state drive
While platter technology handles the majority of hard drives on the market, there are a growing number of solid-state drives (SSDs) available. Instead of spinning discs, they contain no moving parts; instead, the data is stored on special computer chips. This technology allows the drive to read and write data faster, and the discs aren’t as susceptible to physical damage as regular hard drives, but are typically much more expensive. With no moving parts, SSDs can have a longer lifespan than regular drives because there’s no motor to burn out or arm to break. If the drive fails, however, it could do so suddenly and without warning, and all data could be completely lost.
Hybrid drives
There are also hybrid drives that combine a standard hard drive and an SSD. The platters in a hybrid don’t spin constantly, and that part of the unit is only activated when needed. Data that is recalled regularly is stored on the SSD and only moved to the platters when the drive is full. This can mean faster boot times and computer performance for less money than using just one SSD, but memory-intensive programs may not be as fast, as they’ll rely on the traditional drive.
Common problems
There are several ways in which the functionality of a standard hard drive can be impaired. The rapid movement and delicate maneuvering of platters and heads within a record make it susceptible to a “head crash,” in which the heads touch the platters and damage the magnetic surfaces. Platters exposed to dust can cause a record arm to bounce during operation, and spindles can lock up, causing jamming of components. Bumping or dropping a computer can cause electromagnetic damage, even if the machine has been turned off.
Repair and replacement
Repairs to standard hard drives can be expensive and can even compete with the cost of new, low-end computers. This job usually needs to be done by a professional, and opening the unit at home will usually ruin it and void any warranty. Many computer experts also recommend that novices not try to replace a broken drive at home due to the delicate magnetic properties of the drive and the high risk of damaging other electronic components inside the computer.
Avoid problems
There are a few things a computer user can do to make a hard drive last longer. People should always handle any machine with gentleness, as even moving a laptop roughly could lead to a head injury. It’s best to move a running computer as little as possible, as a disk is more likely to be damaged while it’s running. Although the unit is sealed, users should keep the entire machine as dust-free as possible and ensure that the fan and all other cooling devices are clean and working properly. Regularly backing up a computer’s data to external hard drives, flash drives, or cloud storage services can protect users from losing important files if the drive fails and needs to be repaired or replaced.
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