Installation

￿￿￿￿￿1RGTCVKPIMost popular￿U[UVGOoperating￿NKOKVCVKQPUsystems available today have additional limitations which affect the use of large capacity drives. However, these limitations can not be corrected on the BIOS and it is up to the operating system manufacturers to release improved versions to address these problems.

The most popular operating systems available today, DOS and Win 95, use a File Allocation Table (FAT) size of 16 bits which will only support partitions up to 2.1 GB. A newer release of Win 95 called OSR2 with a 32 bit FAT has been released to system manufacturers only. This new FAT size table will support partitions of up to 2.2 terabytes. The Windows NT file system (NTFS) does not have this limit.

￿￿￿￿5;56'/Once you￿56#4672have installed￿#0&the￿Maxtor12'4#6+10D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT hard disk drive, and adapter board (if required) in the host system, you are ready to partition and format the drive for operation. To set up the drive correctly, follow these steps:

.RunPowertheonSETUPthesystemprogram.. This is generally on a Diagnostics or Utilities disk, or within the system’s BIOS. Some system BIOS have an auto- detecting feature making SETUP unnecessary.

3 Enter the appropriate parameters.

The SETUP program allows you to enter the types of optional hardware installed— such as the hard disk drive type, the floppy disk drive capacity, and the display adapter type. The system’ BIOS uses this information to initialize the system when the power is switched on. For instructions on how to use the SETUP program, refer to the system manual for your PC.

During the AT system CMOS setup, you must enter the drive type for the Maxtor D540X-4K hard disk drives. The drive supports the translation of its physical drive geometry parameters such as cylinders, heads, and sectors per track to a logical addressing mode. The drive can work with different BIOS drive-type tables of the various host systems.

You can choose any drive type that does not exceed the capacity of the drive. Table 3-3 gives the logical parameters that provide the maximum capacity on the Maxtor D540X-4K family of hard disk drives.

Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT 3-17

Page 35
Image 35
Maxtor manual Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT

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.