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. If you have a motherboard or host adapter that does not support autonegotiation:

•Install a jumper as shown in Figure 3 below to limit the data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second (and leave the drive connected to the SATA-equipped motherboard or host adapter that doesn’t support autonegotiation) or

•Install a SATA host adapter that supports autonegotiation, leave the drive jumper block set to “Normal operation” (see Figure 3 below), and connect the drive to that adapter. This option has the benefit of not limiting the drive to a 1.5 Gbits/sec transfer rate.

3.0 Gbits per second operation

Limit data transfer rate to 1.5 Gbits per second

Jumper block

SATA power connector

SATA interface connector

Figure 3. Serial ATA connectors

3.3Serial ATA cables and connectors

The Serial ATA interface cable consists of four conductors in two differential pairs, plus three ground connec- tions. The cable size may be 30 to 26 AWG with a maximum length of one meter (39.37 inches). See Table 15 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 4.

Signal connector

Power connector

Signal cable

Power cable

Figure 4. Attaching SATA cabling

Each cable is keyed to ensure correct orientation. Barracuda 7200.10 Serial ATA drives support latching SATA connectors.

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Barracuda 7200.10 Serial ATA Product Manual, Rev. K

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Seagate ST3320620AS, ST3120215AS, ST3120815AS, ST3160815AS manual Configuring the drive, Serial ATA cables and connectors
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ST3200820AS, ST3300820AS, ST3300620AS, ST3500641ASRK, ST3400820AS specifications

The Seagate ST3250310AS and ST3250410AS are notable hard drives that belong to the Barracuda series, known for their value and performance in the consumer and business sectors. These drives, featuring SATA interface technology, are especially popular among users seeking reliable storage solutions for desktops and personal computers.

The ST3250310AS model comes with a storage capacity of 250 GB, while the ST3250410AS offers an increased capacity of 400 GB. Both models are designed with a standard 3.5-inch form factor, making them compatible with most PC enclosures. The drives are equipped with a 7200 RPM rotational speed, which provides enhanced data access times and improved overall performance compared to slower drives.

One of the key features of these devices is their utilization of the SATA 3.0 interface, allowing for data transfer rates of up to 3 Gbps. This interface enhances the drive's performance when paired with compatible motherboards and systems. Additionally, the drives are equipped with a 16 MB buffer, which assists in improving the efficiency of the read and write operations, particularly during tasks that require frequent data access.

Seagate's Advanced Format technology is another characteristic of the ST3250310AS and ST3250410AS. This technology uses larger sector sizes, which allows for more efficient storage of data, resulting in increased capacity and potentially improved reliability. Furthermore, the drives come with a mean time between failures (MTBF) rating of about 1,000,000 hours, signifying their robust build quality designed for durability in varied computing environments.

The hard drives also leverage Seagate's SmartAlign technology, facilitating the drive's operation with Advanced Format hard drives seamlessly. The drives are compatible with various operating systems and are particularly suited for applications requiring high data availability and fast retrieval, such as gaming and media storage.

In summary, the Seagate ST3250310AS and ST3250410AS hard drives are solid options for users looking for dependable, high-performance storage solutions. Their blend of reliability, speed, and efficiency makes them suitable for a variety of applications, from personal computing to small business use. With their combination of advanced technologies and user-friendly characteristics, these drives stand out as capable choices for enhancing computer storage capabilities.
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