Seagate ST9100AG manual Bios compatibility recommendations

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ST9100A and ST9100AG Installation Guide, Rev. A

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In a few situations, none of the drive types specified in your BIOS setup program will match your drive, and the setup program will not provide an opportunity to specify a custom drive type. In this case, consider the third option described on page 6 — allowing your ST9100A or ST9100AG drive to mimic one of the BIOS-sup- ported drive types. During the BIOS setup process, simply select a drive type with a capacity that is less than or equal to the drive’s BIOS calculated capacity listed in the table on page 6. This drive type should have no more than 1,024 cylinders, 16 read/write heads, or 63 sectors per track. In addition, the total number of sectors for that drive type (listed in the setup program) should not exceed the number of cylinders times the number of read/write heads times the number of sectors per track. In other words:

Total sectors per drive ≤

(No. cylinders) × (No. read/write heads) × (No. sectors/track)

BIOS compatibility recommendations

The ST9100Aand ST9100AG are AT interface compatible drives, which conform to ATA specifications. The host system BIOS must provide support for the AT interface command set. Consult the system documentation for information on the AT interface within your system. Several key compatibility issues are discussed below.

In accordance with ATA specifications, the BIOS must reset any emulation/translation parameters after a hard reset is received from the host.

In some configurations, the ST9100A and ST9100AG drives supply 16 bytes of Error Correction Code (ECC) with the Read Long and Write Long commands. Depending on the drive type, your system BIOS may look for 4 bytes of ECC. If your system BIOS expects 4 bytes of ECC and the drive supplies 16 bytes,

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Contents ST9100A ST9100AG AT Interface Drive Contents Read before you begin Observe static discharge precautionsInstallation overview Connecting cables Setting master/slave jumpersPin Mounting the drive Configuring system BiosDrive Specification ST9100A and ST9100AG Bios compatibility recommendations Low-level formatting Formatting and partitioning the driveInstallation troubleshooting ST9100A and ST9100AG Installation Guide, Rev. a Signal name Appendix a AT interface connector pin assignmentsDimensions are in inches mm Appendix B. Mounting dimensionsSeaFAX /438-2620 Appendix C Technical support servicesSeaFONE /438-8222 SeaTDD /438-5382BBS location Modem number Maximum Baud rate Page Page

ST9100AG, ST9100A specifications

The Seagate ST9100A and ST9100AG are notable hard drives that belong to the Seagate Barracuda family, which has been recognized for its performance and reliability in the storage market. These drives are designed to meet the demands of both desktop and mobile applications, making them a versatile choice for users looking for dependable storage solutions.

One of the main features of the ST9100A and ST9100AG is their high storage capacity, offering up to 1 terabyte, which allows users to store a significant amount of data, whether it be photos, videos, or large software applications. This substantial capacity caters to both everyday users and professionals who require ample storage for intensive tasks.

The ST9100A and ST9100AG utilize advanced recording technologies that enhance performance and longevity. These include Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR) technology, which allows for higher data density, resulting in improved read and write speeds. This technology enables users to access their data quickly, reducing wait times when loading applications or transferring files.

Another key characteristic of these drives is their rotational speed of 7200 RPM (revolutions per minute). This speed is crucial as it significantly impacts the drive's overall performance. A higher RPM generally translates to quicker data access times, making the ST9100A and ST9100AG suitable for gaming, media editing, and other performance-intensive tasks.

The drives are also equipped with a sizable cache memory of 32 MB, which further increases data transfer efficiency. The cache acts as a temporary storage space for frequently accessed data, allowing for faster retrieval and smoother operation. This feature is particularly beneficial when handling large files or when multitasking between several applications.

In terms of reliability, Seagate's Barracuda drives are built to endure demanding environments. The ST9100A and ST9100AG come with features like SmartAlign, which ensures efficient use of disk space and improves overall drive performance, and Seagate's Seagate SeaTools software, for diagnosing potential issues and monitoring drive health.

The ST9100A and ST9100AG are structured to fit seamlessly in various systems due to their standard 3.5-inch form factor, making them compatible with most desktop cases. With their combination of high performance, significant storage, and reliability, these drives present a solid option for users seeking a balance between capacity and speed.
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