How does the hard disk drive communicate to the processor?

A hard drive has its own (small) processor running firmware that implements an interface protocol (e.g. SATA or SCSI) and controls the drive’s motors. Think of your hard drive as a specialized computer-within-a-computer; the SATA cable is like a network cable that lets it communicate with the “main” computer.

What are the components of a hard disk drive?

The hard drive, which typically provides storage for data and applications within a computer, has four key components inside its casing — the platter (for storing data), the spindle (for spinning the platters), the read/write arm (for reading and writing data) and the actuator (for controlling the actions of the read/ …

What connects into the hard drive?

Newer hard drives will use SATA cables, which are thin and resemble USB cables. Use a SATA cable to connect the hard drive to the motherboard. SATA cables can be connected in either direction.

Is hard drive and CPU the same thing?

HDD (hard disk drive) is where the computer stores information for long-term. The computer relies on the HDD to store pictures, music, files, and anything else you save to it. Processor (CPU, central processing unit) is where the computer receives instructions and commands.

Is mar a CPU component?

In a computer, the memory address register (MAR) is the CPU register that either stores the memory address from which data will be fetched to the CPU, or the address to which data will be sent and stored.

Which component in a hard drive system reads and writes data?

The read and write arm, also called the actuator arm, is the part of the hard drive that reads data already stored on the platter and writes new data on the platter. The actuator arm includes the read and write heads that float just microns away from the platter that perform the actual read and write tasks.

What physical components of the disk is responsible for reading and writing data on the disk?

A read/write head is a specific physical part of a hard disk that is responsible for reading data from, and writing data to, the disk. Read/write heads are typically made up of a thin horizontal magnetic blade attached to an actuator arm.

What is RAM stored in?

microchips
RAM is physically small and stored in microchips. It’s also small in terms of the amount of data it can hold. A typical laptop computer may come with 8 gigabytes of RAM, while a hard disk can hold 10 terabytes.

What allows the hard drive to communicate with the computer?

On the back of a hard drive is a circuit board called the disk controller or interface board. This circuit is what allows the hard drive to communicate with the computer. How is a hard drive connected to a computer?

What are the components of a desktop hard drive?

As shown in the picture above, the desktop hard drive consists of the following components: the head actuator, read/write actuator arm, read/write head, spindle, and platter. On the back of a hard drive is a circuit board called the disk controller or interface board. This circuit is what allows the hard drive to communicate with the computer.

How is an internal hard drive connected to the computer?

An internal hard drive is connected to the computer using a data cable (IDE, SATA, or SCSI) that connects to the motherboard and a power cable that connects to the power supply.

What is the function of the heads on a hard disk?

The heads convert the information, which is in the form of bits to magnetic pulses when it is to be stored on the platter and reverses the process while reading. The heads are the most sophisticated part of the hard disk. Each platter has two read/write heads, one mounted on the top and the other one at the bottom.