3.0 Configuring and Mounting the Drive

This section contains the specifications and instructions for configuring and mounting the drive.

3.1Handling and static-discharge precautions

After unpacking, and before installation, the drive may be exposed to potential handling and electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards. Observe the following standard handling and static-discharge precautions:

Caution

Before handling the drive, put on a grounded wrist strap, or ground yourself frequently by touching the metal chassis of a computer that is plugged into a grounded outlet. Wear a grounded wrist strap throughout the entire installation procedure.

Handle the drive by its edges or frame only.

The drive is extremely fragile—handle it with care. Do not press down on the drive top cover.

Always rest the drive on a padded, antistatic surface until you mount it in the computer.

Do not touch the connector pins or the printed circuit board.

Do not remove the factory-installed labels from the drive or cover them with additional labels. Removal voids the warranty. Some factory-installed labels contain information needed to service the drive. Other labels are used to seal out dirt and contamination.

3.2Configuring the drive

Each drive on the Serial ATA interface connects point-to-point with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship because each drive is considered a master in a point-to-point relationship. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. Both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Serial ATA drives are designed for easy installation. It is usually not necessary to set any jumpers on the drive for proper operation; however, if you connect the drive and receive a “drive not detected” error, your SATA-equipped motherboard or host adapter may use a chipset that does not support SATA speed autonegotiation.

3.3Serial ATA cables and connectors

The Serial ATA interface cable consists of four conductors in two differential pairs, plus three ground connections. The cable size may be 30 to 26 AWG with a maximum length of one meter (39.37 inches). See Table 8 for connector pin definitions. Either end of the SATA signal cable can be attached to the drive or host.

For direct backplane connection, the drive connectors are inserted directly into the host receptacle. The drive and the host receptacle incorporate features that enable the direct connection to be hot pluggable and blind mateable.

For installations which require cables, you can connect the drive as illustrated in Figure 1.

Barracuda SATA Product Manual, Rev. B

27

Page 27
Image 27
Seagate ST3250312AS Handling and static-discharge precautions, Configuring the drive, Serial ATA cables and connectors

ST3750525AS, ST3320413AS, ST4000DM000, ST3250312AS, ST31000524AS specifications

Seagate is a renowned name in the field of data storage, known for its innovative hard disk drives (HDDs) that cater to various needs. Among its extensive product lineup, the Seagate ST3500413AS, ST3160316AS, SGTST3000DM0011CH166, ST31000524AS, and ST3250312AS stand out due to their unique features and performance characteristics.

The Seagate ST3500413AS is a 500GB SATA drive exhibiting a 7200 RPM spin speed, which allows for quick data access and file transfers. It features a 16MB cache, enhancing performance by allowing frequently accessed data to be stored in a readily available state. This drive is particularly suitable for users with moderate storage needs, such as home offices and casual gaming.

On the other hand, the ST3160316AS offers a larger 1.5TB capacity. Like the ST3500413AS, it operates at 7200 RPM and comes equipped with a 32MB cache that boosts read/write speeds. This HDD is ideal for users who require additional space for media files, backups, or extensive applications.

The SGTST3000DM0011CH166 is part of Seagate's Barracuda series, renowned for its balance of performance and capacity. This 3TB drive operates on SATA III at 7200 RPM and features a 64MB cache, making it suitable for high-demand applications such as gaming rigs and multimedia servers. Its Storage capacities and speed allow users to store a significant amount of data without compromising performance.

The ST31000524AS is another prominent Seagate model that offers 1TB of storage with a similar 7200 RPM speed. This HDD is characterized by its reliability and efficiency, making it perfect for systems requiring robust data storage solutions. The 32MB cache further aids in data access speed, making it suitable for task-intensive applications.

Lastly, the ST3250312AS provides a 2TB capacity and mirrors the 7200 RPM spin speed found in the other models. With a 32MB cache, it is designed for home and small business use, offering a balance of performance and capacity. This HDD is particularly appealing for users needing to store large files without compromising on data retrieval times.

In summary, Seagate's lineup, including the ST3500413AS, ST3160316AS, SGTST3000DM0011CH166, ST31000524AS, and ST3250312AS, presents a range of storage solutions ideal for different user needs. From casual users to demanding applications, these drives utilize advanced technologies to ensure reliability, speed, and adequate storage capacity for a wide array of digital data.