Epson 286 PLUS Using Disks and Disk Drives, How Disks Store Data

Using Disks and Disk Drives

The disk drives in your computer allow you to store data on disk, and then retrieve and use your stored data. This section explains how disks work and tells you how to:

0Use different types of diskettes and diskette drives LI Care for your diskettes and diskette drives

0Write-protect diskettes

Ll Use a single diskette drive system i3 Insert and remove diskettes

c3 Format diskettes

0Make backup copies Q Use a hard disk drive.

How Disks Store Data

Diskettes are made of flexible plastic coated with magnetic material. This plastic is enclosed in a square jacket that is either slightly flexible (5 1/4-inch diskette), or hard (3 1/2-inch diskette).

Unlike a diskette, a hard disk is rigid and fixed in place. It is sealed in a protective case to keep it free of dust and dirt. A hard disk stores data the same way that a diskette does, but it works much faster and has a much larger storage capacity.

All disks are divided into data storage compartments by sides, tracks, and sectors. Double-sided diskettes store data on both sides. On each side are concentric rings, called tracks, on which a disk can store data.

Using Your computer 3-7