Glossary

BLOCK – A sector or group of sectors. By default, a block of data consists of 512 bytes.

BPI – Abbreviation for bits per inch. A measure of how densely information is packed on a storage medium. Flux changes per inch is also a term commonly used in describing storage density on a magnetic surface.

BUFFER – An area of RAM reserved for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device that is not yet ready to receive it. The data is usually on its way to or from the disk drive or some other peripheral device.

BUS – The part of a chip, circuit board, or interface designed to send and receive data.

BYTE – The basic unit of computer memory, large enough to hold one character of alphanumeric data. Comprised of eight bits. See also bit.

CACHE – Random-access memory used as a buffer between the CPU and a hard disk. Information more likely to be read or changed is placed in the cache, where it can be accessed more quickly to speed up general data flow.

CAPACITY – The amount of information that can be stored on a disk drive. The data is stored in bytes, and capacity is usually expressed in megabytes.

CDB – Command Descriptor Block. The SCSI structure used to communicate requests from an initiator (system) to a target (drive).

CLEAN ROOM – An environmentally controlled dust-free assembly or repair facility in which hard disk drives are assembled or can be opened for internal servicing.

CLUSTER – A group of sectors on a disk drive that is addressed as one logical unit by the operating system.

CONTROLLER – Short form of disk controller. The chip or complete circuit that translates computer data and commands into a form suitable for use by the disk drive.

CONTROLLER CARD – An adapter holding the control electronics for one or more hard disks, usually installed in a slot in the computer.

CPU – Acronym for Central Processing Unit. The microprocessor chip that performs the bulk of data processing in a computer.

CRC – Acronym for Cyclic Redundancy Check. An error detection code that is recorded within each sector and is used to see whether parts of a string of data are missing or erroneous.

CYLINDER – On a disk drive that has more than one recording surface and heads that move to various tracks, the group of all tracks located at a given head position. The number of cylinders times the number of heads equals the number of tracks per drive.

DATA SEPARATOR – On a disk drive that stores data and timing information in an encoded form, the circuit that extracts the data from the combined data and clock signal.

DEDICATED SERVO – A surface separate from the surface used for data that contains only disk timing and positioning information and contains no data.

DEFECT MANAGEMENT – A method that is implemented to ensure long term data integrity. Defect management eliminates the need for user defect maps. This is accomplished by scanning the disk drives at the factory for defective sectors. Defective sectors are deallocated prior to shipment. In addition, during regular use, the drive continues to scan and compensate for any new defective sectors on the disk.

DISK – In general, any circular-shaped data-storage medium that stores data on the flat surface of the platter. The most common type of disk is the magnetic disk, which stores data as magnetic patterns in a metal or metal-oxide coating. Magnetic disks come in two forms: floppy and hard. Optical recording is a newer disk technology that gives higher capacity storage but at slower access times.

G-2 Maxtor D540X-4G

D540X-4G specifications

The Maxtor D540X-4G, introduced in the early 2000s, is a notable hard disk drive that carved a niche in the consumer and business storage market. It is part of the D540X series, known for its reliability and substantial storage capacity for its time, boasting an impressive 4GB of storage.

One of the standout features of the D540X-4G is its advanced ATA/100 interface, allowing for a high data transfer rate of up to 100 MB/s. This was a significant leap forward in performance, enabling faster access to data and improved system responsiveness. Unlike older interfaces, the ATA/100 significantly reduced bottlenecks, making it an ideal choice for users who required efficient data management.

The D540X-4G was built on a 5400 RPM spindle speed. While this wasn't as fast as some higher-end drives available at the time, it provided a balance between speed and thermal efficiency. The combination of its rotational speed and data density allowed for a commendable average seek time, which translated into quicker file access for everyday applications, such as word processing and spreadsheet management.

Another commendable attribute of the D540X-4G is its acoustic management technology, which ensured that the drive operated quietly, minimizing distraction in office environments or home setups. This was particularly beneficial for users who needed to maintain a serene working atmosphere.

In terms of durability, the D540X-4G featured a robust design with built-in shock protection. This characteristic offered an additional layer of safety for data integrity, especially vital in portable systems where exposure to movement is frequent. Maxtor also placed a focus on providing error-correction capabilities, which further enhanced data reliability.

The D540X-4G utilized a halogen-free design in its manufacturing process, reflecting an early commitment to environmental considerations, which would become increasingly important in the years to follow.

Overall, the Maxtor D540X-4G hard drive highlighted the advancements in storage technology of the time, combining ample capacity, improved speed, and reliability in a user-friendly package. It appealed to a broad spectrum of users, from everyday home computing to small business applications, making it a valuable player in the computing landscape during its era.