Acronis os selector 8.0 User Manual
Chapter 2. Basic Information
This chapter elaborates on basic concepts that are related to hard disk
partitioning. This will help you to better understand and use Acronis OS
Selector.
partitioning. This will help you to better understand and use Acronis OS
Selector.
2.1
What is a Hard Disk?
A hard disk is a part of a computer that is used for long-term information
storage. Unlike Random Access Memory (RAM) that loses all the data when
the power is switched off, a hard disk continually stores data, thus allowing
the saving of programs, documents and other information. Hard disks also
have much higher capacity than RAM; modern hard disk capacity can exceed
hundreds of gigabytes.
storage. Unlike Random Access Memory (RAM) that loses all the data when
the power is switched off, a hard disk continually stores data, thus allowing
the saving of programs, documents and other information. Hard disks also
have much higher capacity than RAM; modern hard disk capacity can exceed
hundreds of gigabytes.
2.1.1
Hard Disk Architecture
A hard disk consists of the following basic parts: magnetic platters, axis,
read/write heads and integrated electronics.
read/write heads and integrated electronics.
• Magnetic platters actually are the hard disks that are made of metal or
plastic that gives the name to the entire device. Both sides of each
platter are covered with iron oxide or some other magnetic material.
platter are covered with iron oxide or some other magnetic material.
• Magnetic platters are installed on one spindle and rotate on it as one
body.
• For each side of each platter there is a separate read/write head. The
heads are also joined together and move radially with respect to the
magnetic platters, thus allowing access to any point of any platter.
magnetic platters, thus allowing access to any point of any platter.
• Integrated electronics are used to process computer commands, magnetic
platter rotation control, read/write head movements and for data
buffering and transfer of it between the hard disk and the computer.
buffering and transfer of it between the hard disk and the computer.
2.1.2
How does Hard Disk Work?
In a computer, all data is stored as bit sequences. On hard disks each bit is
stored as a magnetic charge (positive or negative) on the magnetized platter
surface. When a computer saves the data, it sends it to the hard disk as a
sequence of bits, the hard disk receives the data, positions the magnetic
heads and records the information received with their help by magnetizing
the platter surface. Reading the data from a hard disk is done in a similar
way.
stored as a magnetic charge (positive or negative) on the magnetized platter
surface. When a computer saves the data, it sends it to the hard disk as a
sequence of bits, the hard disk receives the data, positions the magnetic
heads and records the information received with their help by magnetizing
the platter surface. Reading the data from a hard disk is done in a similar
way.
Read/write heads can access any point of any platter at any time, so the
data may be stored and read with high speed in a random sequence (unlike
sequential access to data on magnetic tapes).
data may be stored and read with high speed in a random sequence (unlike
sequential access to data on magnetic tapes).
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