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Maxtor D540X-4K manual More hard disks, usually installed in a slot in the computer

Models: D540X-4K

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Glossary

BPI – Abbreviation for bits per inch. A measure of how densely information is packed on a storage medium. Flux changes per inch is also a term commonly used in describing storage density on a magnetic surface.

BUFFER – An area of RAM reserved for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device that is not yet ready to receive it. The data is usually on its way to or from the disk drive or some other peripheral device.

BUS – The part of a chip, circuit board, or interface designed to send and receive data.

BYTE – The basic unit of computer memory, large enough to hold one character of alphanumeric data. Comprised of eight bits. See also bit.

C

CACHE – Random-access memory used as a buffer between the CPU and a hard disk. Information more likely to be read or changed is placed in the cache, where it can be accessed more quickly to speed up general data flow.

CAPACITY – The amount of information that can be stored on a disk drive. The data is stored in bytes, and capacity is usually expressed in megabytes.

CDB – Command Descriptor Block. The SCSI structure used to communicate requests from an initiator (system) to a target (drive).

CLEAN ROOM – An environmentally controlled dust-free assembly or repair facility in which hard disk drives are assembled or can be opened for internal servicing.

CLUSTER – A group of sectors on a disk drive that is addressed as one logical unit by the operating system.

CONTROLLER – Short form of disk controller. The chip or complete circuit that translates computer data and commands into a form suitable for use by the disk drive.

CONTROLLER CARD – An adapter holding the control electronics for one or

more hard disks, usually installed in a slot in the computer.

CPU – Acronym for Central Processing Unit. The microprocessor chip that performs the bulk of data processing in a computer.

CRC – Acronym for Cyclic Redundancy Check. An error detection code that is recorded within each sector and is used to see whether parts of a string of data are missing or erroneous.

CYLINDER – On a disk drive that has more than one recording surface and heads that move to various tracks, the group of all tracks located at a given head position. The number of cylinders times the number of heads equals the number of tracks per drive.

D

DATA SEPARATOR – On a disk drive that stores data and timing information in an encoded form, the circuit that extracts the data from the combined data and clock signal.

DEDICATED SERVO – A surface separate from the surface used for data that contains only disk timing and positioning information and contains no data.

DEFECT MANAGEMENT – A method that is implemented to ensure long term data integrity. Defect management eliminates the need for user defect maps. This is accomplished by scanning the disk drives at the factory for defective sectors. Defective sectors are deallocated prior to shipment. In addition, during regular use, the drive continues to scan and compensate for any new defective sectors on the disk.

DISK – In general, any circular-shaped data-storage medium that stores data on the flat surface of the platter. The most common type of disk is the magnetic disk, which stores data as magnetic patterns in a metal or metal-oxide coating. Magnetic disks come in two forms: floppy and hard. Optical recording is a newer disk technology that gives higher capacity storage but at slower access times.

DISK CONTROLLER – A plug-in board, or embedded circuitry on the drive, that

G-2 Maxtor D540X-4K 20.0/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT

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Page 86
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Maxtor D540X-4K manual More hard disks, usually installed in a slot in the computer
Page 85 Page 87

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.