SATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands

proprietary ASIC developed by Maxtor.

5.5.2Supported Commands

The Maxtor QuickView Serial ATA 400/500GB hard disk drive support all the mandatory commands from the general feature set for devices not supporting the Packet command feature set. Refer to the ATA/ATAPI-7 standard for a detailed description of these commands. The IDENTIFY DRIVE command, however, is elaborated in the section “Identify Drive Command” on page 5-5

Note: 1. As defined in the ATA/ATAPI-7 standard.

Table 5-1 lists the supported commands.

Table 5-1Supported Commands

 

Command

Feature

Command

Register

Code

 

Value(s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHECK POWER MODE

98h, E5h

 

 

 

 

DEVICE CONFIGURATION FREEZE LOCK

B1h

C1h

 

 

 

DEVICE CONFIGURATION IDENTIFY

B1h

C2h

 

 

 

DEVICE CONFIGURATION RESTORE

B1h

C0h

 

 

 

DEVICE CONFIGURATION SET

B1h

C3h

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD MICROCODE

92h

07h, 01h

 

 

 

EXECUTE DRIVE DIAGNOSTIC

90h

 

 

 

 

FLUSH CACHE

E7h

 

 

 

 

FLUSH CACHE EXTENSION

EAh

 

 

 

 

IDENTIFY DEVICE

ECh

 

 

 

 

IDLE

97h, E3h

 

 

 

 

IDLE IMMEDIATE

95h, E1h

 

 

 

 

NOP

00h

 

 

 

 

READ BUFFER

E4h

 

 

 

 

READ DMA

C8h, C9h

 

 

 

 

READ DMA EXTENSION

25h

 

 

 

 

READ FPDMA QUEUED

60h

 

 

 

 

5-2 Maxtor QuickView 400/500GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive

Page 39
Image 39
Maxtor ATA manual Supported Commands, Command Feature Register Code Values

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.