Maxtor ATA manual General Description, Product Overview

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General Description

Chapter 2

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Serial ATA is a high-speed link replacement for the Parallel ATA attachment of mass storage devices. The serial link employed is a high-speed differential layer that utilizes Gigabit technology and 8b/10b encoding. This chapter will provide you with an overview of key features of the QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA hard disk drive, performance data, reliability, and versatility data. Performance and installation data are provided in chapters 3 and 4 respectively.

2.1PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Maxtor is the one of the industry leader’s in developing Serial ATA (SATA) and providing SATA hard drives in volume.

Serial ATA provides faster data transfer speeds, more bandwidth, more potential for speed increases in future generations and better data integrity. Serial ATA hardware is smaller and more compact than traditional Parallel ATA componets. A powerful command set and hot plug feature make SATA very attractive for ATA RAID applications.

With a maximum external (burst) data transfer speed of 300MB per second, the 1.5Gb Serial ATA interface speed is doubled to maximize drive throughput for future growth in drive transfer rates supporting data intensive environments. The QuickView Serial ATA hard disk drive features an embedded hard disk drive controller, and uses SATA commands to optimize system performance. Because the drive manages media defects and error recovery internally, these operations are fully transparent to the user.

The innovative design of the QuickView Serial ATA hard disk drive incorporates leading edge technologies with transfer speeds up to 300MB/second, Advanced Cache Management, Shock Protection System (SPS), Data Protection System (DPS), and Quiet Drive Technology (QDT). These enhanced technologies enable Maxtor to produce a family of high-performance, high-reliability drives.

Maxtor QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive

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Contents QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA Product Manual January 13 Part NumberUL/CSA/VDE/TUV /RoHS PatentsPublication Number Part Number Before You Begin Table of Contents Sata BUS Interface and ATA Commands Introduction List of Figures List Of Tables Audience Manual OrganizationTerminology and Conventions ATAReferences General Description Product OverviewKEY Features Regulatory Compliance Standards Product EMI/EMS QualificationsHardware Requirements Installation Space RequirementsUnpacking Instructions 220-Pack Shipping Container Hardware Options Serial ATA Interface Connector Normal operation 3Gbps Limit Data Transfer Rate 1.5GbpsSerial ATA Bus Connector Adapter Board1Device plug connector pin definition ATA Bus Interface Connector J1, Section C MountingOrientation Following points should be noted5Mounting Screw Clearance and Mounting Screw Locations 6QuickView Serial ATA Mounting Dimensions Clearance Ventilation7Lengthwise Airflow Cooling Adapter Board Installation Techniques in Drive ConfigurationFor Systems with AN ATA Adapter Board Operating System LimitationsBig Drive Enabler Software download To use the Maxtor Big Drive EnablerInstallation Drive Configuration Model Number and CapacityPerformance Specifications Physical DimensionsMode Power Mode Definitions EPA Energy Star ComplianceEnvironmental Limits Parameter Operating NON-OPERATINGShock and Vibration PSDReliability Specifications Annualized Return RateStart/Stop Cycles Data ReliabilitySafety Regulatory Compliance Canadian Emissions StatementCommand Interface IntroductionMechanical Interface Electrical InterfaceSupported Commands Command Feature Register Code ValuesRead LOG Extension Identify Drive Command Content Description Capabilities Sata Bus Interface and ATA Commands Minimum PIO transfer cycle time without flow control Minor version number See Address Offset Reserved Area Boot, Incits TR272001 = release interrupt enabled General Purpose Logging feature set supported Content Description Removable Media Status Notification feature set support Security status Sata Bus Interface and ATA Commands Warranty Services Product SupportGlossary Glossary FCI Acronym for flux changes per inch. See also BPI Kilobyte Kb a unit of measure consisting of 1,024 210 bytes Millisecond ms One thousandth of a second .001 sec Glossary Sata Acronym for Serial ATA Glossary Index

ATA specifications

Maxtor ATA drives have played a significant role in the evolution of data storage technology, particularly during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Known for their reliability and performance, these drives became a popular choice for consumers and businesses alike.

One of the main features of Maxtor ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) drives is their interface. The ATA standard, which later evolved into the Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA) interfaces, allowed for the easy connection of hard drives to computers. This ensured broad compatibility across various systems, making it easier for users to upgrade their storage without facing compatibility issues.

The performance of Maxtor ATA drives was also a notable characteristic. With spinning speeds typically around 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM, these drives provided competitive read and write speeds compared to their contemporaries. The utilization of larger cache memory, often up to 8 MB or more, helped improve data transfer rates, ensuring quick access to files and applications.

Maxtor also deployed various technologies to enhance the reliability and longevity of their drives. One such innovation was the use of Shock Protection technologies, which minimized the risk of data loss due to physical shocks or impacts. This was particularly important for portable storage devices, where movement and jostling are common.

The drives were also designed with data integrity in mind. Maxtor incorporated features like S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) to help predict drive failures by monitoring various parameters. This proactive approach greatly assisted users in taking precautions against data loss.

Capacity-wise, Maxtor ATA drives varied significantly over the years, from a few gigabytes in the early 1990s to several terabytes by the time the brand was phased out. This scalability made Maxtor products suitable for both casual users and enterprises needing to store vast amounts of data.

In conclusion, the Maxtor ATA drives represented a significant step forward in storage technology, combining reliability, performance, and innovation. Their legacy continues to influence modern storage solutions, as many of the underlying principles and technologies have persisted into the current era of data storage. Though the brand is no longer in active development, its impact remains a noteworthy chapter in the history of computing.
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