‘Hard Disk Crash’ – What is it all about?

Thus it becomes imperative that one should become conversant with computer mechanics also.

It is important to have at least a basic knowledge of all the constituents of the computer. The knowledge should extend beyond basics as what is a central processing unit and monitor.

Parts of the Computer

A computer system has the following distinct parts:

Computer Casing: This is the enclosure that includes most of the parts of a computer.

Motherboard: It is the main circuit board of the computer.

Processor: This is a set of machines that execute the computer programmes.

Memory Card: This retains digital data for computing.

Mass Storage: This is generally the hard disk drive of the computer.

Keyboard: This is the set of keys used to type the data.

Mouse: This is utilised for moving the cursor of the computer.

Monitor: This is the screen on which one can read the typed matter or other data.

Of all these computer parts, what is of importance in the given context is the mass storage device, which is the hard disk drive of the computer.

Hard Disk Drive

It will not be in excess to say that the hard disk drive is the heart of the computer system. It is the hard disk drive which stores all the data and retains it even when the power is switched off. A hard disk drive is composed of the following parts:

Spindle: This is what holds multiple flat and circular magnetic disks, called platters.

Platters: If the hard disk drive is the heart of a computer then the platters are its main component. They have a magnetic surface from which data can be read as well as written upon.

Head: This is the mechanism that reads from and writes the data on to the platters.

Actuator Arm: This moves the read and writes heads, over the platters surface.

In addition there are:

Actuator Axis

Actuator

Power Connector

Jumper Block

IDE Connector

Working of a Hard Disk Drive

The hard disk drive starts functioning when the platters spin at exorbitantly high speeds on the spindle. The platters are made up of material that is non-magnetic in nature. Generally they are made up of a cobalt based alloy or glass or aluminium.

These platters have a thin layer of a magnetic material on their surfaces. While rotating at high speeds, the platters have to spin past the read and write heads. These read and write heads operate very closely over the magnetic surface of the platters.

They operate over the platter surface not on it. This is a vital distinction as it makes all the difference between the proper functioning of the hard disk drive and a hard disk drive crash. These read and write heads detect and also modify the magnetisation of the material on the platters.

For each platter, there is one head. These read and write heads are mounted on a single arm which is called the actuator arm. It is responsible for the movement of the heads over and across the platters while the latter are spinning on the spindle.

This allows each and every head to have access to virtually the entire spinning platter surface. The movement of the actuator arm is owing to a voice coil actuator. This brings us to the next point, how the hard disk drives crash.

Hard Disk Drive Crash

A hard disk drive crash or very simply put a disk crash is perhaps the most serious of hardware errors that can develop in a computer system. In the event of a hard disk drive crash, it is advisable to stop using the computer system immediately.

As has been stated above the read and write head moves over the surface of the magnetic platters not on it. At no point of time does the head actually touch the platter surface. Its movement is over a thin layer of moving air entrapped on the platter surface.

If the head starts touching the magnetic surface of the disk then it can destroy the magnetic layer. Particles from this accident can in turn affect other parts of the disk drive leading to the possibility of further head crashes.

In case of a head crash it is advisable to approach a data recovery company for the recovery of lost data. One can get to know that the hard disk drive has crashed when the computer refuses to boot up or a strange sound starts to emanate from the CPU. In order to avoid loss of data one must always have data back up ready.

Data Recovery Articles: http://www.internetionalmedia.com/Category/Data Recovery/

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

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