Manuals / Maxtor / Computer Equipment / Computer Drive

Maxtor D540X-4K manual ATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands

Models: D540X-4K

1 96
Download 96 pages 40.17 Kb
Page 77
Image 77

ATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands

CE – Cache Enable (Byte 32, Bit 0): When set to 1, this bit indicates that the drive will activate caching on all READ commands. With the CE bit set to 0, the drive will disable caching and use the RAM only as a transfer buffer. The default setting is 1.

ErrorAWRERecovery– AutomaticParametersWrite Reallocation Enabled (Byte 36, Bit 7): When set to 1, indicates that the drive will enable automatic reallocation of bad blocks. Automatic Write Reallocation is similar to the function of Automatic Read Reallocation, but is initiated by the drive when a defective block has become inaccessible for writing. An AWRE bit set to 0 indicates that the Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT drives will not automatically reallocate bad blocks. The default setting is 1.

ARR – Automatic Read Reallocation (Byte 36, Bit 6): When set to 1, this bit indicates that the drive will enable automatic reallocation of bad sectors. The drive initiates reallocation when the ARR bit is set to 1 and the drive encounters a hard error—that is, if the triple-burst ECC algorithm is invoked. The default setting is 1. When the ARR bit is set to 0, the drive will not perform automatic reallocation of bad sectors. If RC (byte 36, bit 4) is 1, the drive ignores this bit. The default value is 1.

RC – Read Continuous (Byte 36, Bit 4): When set to 1, this bit instructs the drive to transfer data of the requested length without adding delays to increase data integrity—that is, delays caused by the drive’s error-recovery procedures. With RC set to 1 to maintain continuous flow of data and avoid delays, the drive may send data that is erroneous. When the drive ignores an error, it does not post the error. The RC bit set to 0 indicates that potentially time-consuming operations for error recovery are acceptable during data transfer. The default setting is 0.

EEC – Enable Early Correction (Byte 36, Bit 3): When set to 1, this bit indicates that the drive will use its ECC algorithm if it detects two consecutive equal, nonzero error syndromes. The drive will not perform rereads before applying correction, unless it determines that the error is uncorrectable. An EEC bit set to 0 indicates that the drive will use its normal recovery procedure when an error occurs: rereads, followed by error correction. If the RC bit (byte 36, bit 4) is set to 1, the drive ignores the EEC bit. The default setting is 0.

SilentMode (Byte 36, Bit 2): When set to 1, this bit indicates that the drive’s acoustic emanations will be reduced.

DCR – Disable Correction (Byte 36, Bit 0): When set to 1, this bit indicates that all data will be transferred without correction, even if it would be possible to correct the data. A DCR bit set to 0 indicates that the data will be corrected if possible. If the data is uncorrectable, it will be transferred without correction, though the drive will attempt rereads. If RC (byte 36, bit 4) is set to 1, the drive ignores this bit. The default setting is 0. The drive will post all errors, whether DCR is set to 0 or 1.

NUMBER OF RETRIES (Byte 37): This byte specifies the number of times that the drive will attempt to recover from data errors by rereading the data, before it will apply correction. The drive performs rereads before ECC correction—unless EEC (byte 36, bit 3) is set to 1, enabling early correction. The default is eight.

ECC CORRECTION SPAN (Byte 38): This byte specifies the maximum number of 10-bit symbols that can be corrected using ECC. The default value for this byte is 20h or 32 decimal.

Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT 6-15

Page 76 Page 78
Page 77
Image 77
Maxtor D540X-4K manual ATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands
Page 76 Page 78

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.