Learning About Hardware
Hard Disk Formatting
The hard disk consists of a platter that is divided into cylinders. A cylinder is a collection
of tracks in the same position on different sides of the hard disk platters.
The tracks of each cylinder are further divided into sectors. Each sector is numbered and
holds 512 bytes of data. The computer locates data on the disk by looking for its sector
number.
The hard disk in the TravelMate 3000 is formatted and loaded with software by Texas
Instruments during manufacture. Do not format the hard disk.
Caution: If you format the hard disk, all data on the hard disk will be erased.
Floppy Diskette Drive
A floppy diskette is a magnetic device that stores information created on a computer.
Once data is stored on a floppy, as diskettes are called in this manual, you can access the
data whenever necessary, or you can replace the old data with new when you no longer
need the old data.
During operation, the floppy rotates inside its plastic casing. As it rotates, the read/write
head of the drive moves from one track to another, locating information or finding space
available to store new information.
1-6 Taking a First Look