You should also refer to the motherboard instruction manual, and refer to Chapter of this manual to ensure signal compatibility.

Installation

￿￿￿#6#There￿$75are￿#'4two ways you can configure a system to allow the Maxtor D540X-4K hard disk drives to communicate over the ATA bus of an IBM or IBM-compatible PC:

1.CnnctInstallmotherboardan theIDEdrive-ofcompatiblethetoPCa40.-adapterpinATAboardbusconnectorin the PC, (ifandavailable)connect theonthedrive

to the adapter board.

￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿Most2KP￿#6#PC motherboards￿$WU￿%QPPGEVQThave a built-in 40-pin ATA bus connector that is compatible

with the 40-pin ATA interface of the Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB

AT hard disk drives. If motherboard has an ATA connector, simply connect a 40-pin ribbon cable between the drive and the motherboard.

￿￿￿￿￿#FCRVGTIf your￿$PCQCTFmotherboard does not contain a built-in 40-pin ATA bus interface connector, you must install an ATA bus adapter board and connecting cable to allow the drive to interface with the motherboard. Maxtor does not supply such an adapter board, but they are available from several third-party vendors.

Please carefully read the instruction manual that comes with your adapter board, as well as Chapter of this manual to ensure signal compatibility between the adapter board and the drive. Also, make sure that the adapter board jumper settings are appropriate.

3-8 Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT

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Image 26
Maxtor D540X-4K manual To the adapter board

D540X-4K specifications

The Maxtor D540X-4K is a notable hard disk drive that has made its mark in the world of computer storage solutions. Launched in the early 2000s, this drive was known for its high capacity and reliable performance, making it a popular choice among consumers and businesses alike.

One of the main features of the D540X-4K is its generous storage capacity. With a range of models available, users could select from configurations starting at 40GB to larger sizes, accommodating a wide variety of storage needs. This capacity was particularly advantageous during an era when digital media was rapidly expanding, allowing users to store everything from documents and photos to videos and applications without running out of space.

The D540X-4K utilizes an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface, also known as PATA (Parallel ATA), which ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of computers. This interface was standard at the time, making the drive accessible to a wide user base. The drive also supports ATA-100, providing data transfer rates of up to 100 MB/s, which was impressive for its time.

In terms of performance, the drive operates at a speed of 5400 RPM, which, while not the fastest in comparison to modern solid-state drives, provided a suitable balance of speed and efficiency for the average user’s needs. This rotational speed ensured decent read and write times for everyday applications, making it a reliable option for personal computing.

Another characteristic of the D540X-4K is its advanced data protection features. The drive was equipped with Maxtor's unique Shock Protection Technology, which helps protect the drive’s internal components from damage due to shocks or drops. This feature contributed to increased reliability, especially for users in mobile or high-traffic environments.

The Maxtor D540X-4K also incorporates a Cache Buffer, which enhances performance by temporarily storing frequently accessed data. The cache sizes varied across models, with options of 2MB or more, aiding in quicker data retrieval and overall improved system responsiveness.

In summary, the Maxtor D540X-4K is a hard drive that stands out for its storage capacity, compatibility, and protective features. Even today, it serves as a reminder of the evolution of data storage technologies, as it laid the groundwork for the high-capacity drives we utilize in modern computing. Its legacy continues to influence new technologies while reflecting the needs of the early digital era.