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INTRODUCTION
A hard disk drive (HDD), or hard drive is a data storage device
used for storing and retrieving digital information using one or
more rigid (known as "hard") rapidly rotating disks (platters)
coated with magnetic material.
The first Hard Disk was introduced byIBMin 1956.
The primary characteristics of an HDD are its capacity and
performance.

HARD DISK PARTS

The hard drive is composed of several parts:
1. Actuator
2. Read-write arm
3. Central spindle
4. Magnetic platter
5. Plug connections
6. Read-write head
7. Circuit board (on underside)
8. Flexible connector
9. Small spindle

HARD DISK PARTS

Actuator
The actuator is the responsible for moving the read-write
arm.
Read-write arm
Arm where the read-write device is placed.
Central spindle
Allows platters to rotate at high speeds.

HARD DISK PARTS

Magnetic platter
Where the information is stored in binary form. 1 to 10

identical platters.

Plug connections
Links the hard drive to the circuit board in the computer.

Read-write head
It Is a tiny magnet on the end of the read-write arm,

responsible
platters.

for reading and writing the information in the

HARD DISK PARTS

Circuit board
Controls the flow of data to and from the platter.

Flexible connector
Flexible connector carries data from circuit board to the

read-write head and platter.

Small spindle
The small pindles allows read-write arm to swing across

platter.

HOW IT WORKS

Data on a hard disk is stored in microscopic areas called magnetic domains

on the magnetic platter. Each domain stores either a 1 or 0 value (Binary).

The platters spins at an extremely high speed, technically between 5,400 to

10,000 revolutions per minute (RPM)

The head hovers very closely to the platter. The RW head suspends on a
thin cushion of air which the spinning platter induces.

The sliding motion of the RW head is derived by passing a current through

the coil which is part of the actuator-assembly. As the coil is placed
between two magnets, the forward or backward sliding motion is hence
derived by simple current reversal.

HOW IT WORKS

As the head writes data onto the disk, it changes its magnetic
polarization to induce either a one or zero value.

During a read request, data is interpreted when the magnetic fields

on the platter brings about an electrical change (as a result of
change in electrical resistance of some special material property) in
the read-head that passes over it.

These electrical fields are then encoded and transmitted to the CPU
to be processed and read by the system.

HOW IT WORKS

When the computer is switched off, the head is usually pulled to a

safe parking zone:
A lifting mechanism parks the head outside of the platter onto a
"parking bay" prior to a shutdown. It then automatically unparks
and relocates itself above the disk platter when the platter spins up
to appropriate rotational speed.
Prevents the head from scratching against the data zone on platter
when the air bearing subsides.

SOLID STATE DRIVES

Uses a type of memory called flash memory

SSD memory remains even when it loses power

Uses a grid of electrical cells to quickly send and receive data.

10 Times faster than normal hard drives because it doesnt need to

spin a platter or locate a RW arm in the right position.