Chapter 6

Using Your Hard Disk

Depending on the model, your computer system can be expanded to include an optional hard disk drive. This chapter will give you a basic understanding of its operation and show you how to configure it. Information is also provided on how MS-DOS works with your hard disk drive.

What is a Hard Disk Drive?

As mentioned in Chapter 5, “Using Floppy Disks,” your computer uses an electronic memory array called RAM. This memory is temporary and will only “remember” data as long as the system power is on. When you turn off your computer, any information stored in RAM is lost.

You have learned how to use floppy disks, or diskettes, to store data and program files between computing sessions. It is more convenient, however, to store your files on a hard disk drive. The main reason for this is the speed of the hard disk drive. Files are read off from the hard disk faster than from floppy diskettes. Also, using a hard disk reduces the amount of time spent inserting and removing diskettes from floppy disk drives.

A hard disk is very similar to a floppy disk. It is a plastic disk that has been coated with a magnetic oxide. A hard disk will store data indefinitely, until it is erased. Data is read from or written onto a hard disk in the exactly same way as with a floppy diskette.

There are differences between hard and floppy disks, though. First of all, a hard disk is “non-removable.” Unlike a floppy diskette, which can be taken out of its drive, the hard disk is

Using Your Hard Disk 6-1