storage (In contrast to
floppy disk). One or more rigid
read/write heads and electronics, used to store data. Most
hard disks are permanently connected to the drive (fixed
High speed disks have an
access time of 28 milliseconds or
less, and low-speed disks run 65 milliseconds or more. The
higher speed disks also transfer their data faster than the
slower speed units.
Each surface of each disk is divided into a number of evenly
spaced concentric circular
tracks. The set of all tracks at
a given radius on all surfaces (the tracks which can be
accessed without moving the heads) are known as a
cylinder.
Each track is divided into
sectors.
Disk drives are commonly characterised by the kind of
interface used to connect to the computer, e.g.
ATA,
IDE,
(1999-01-07)