Glossary of Hard Disk / Drive Terminology
BOOT MANAGER
Software which gives users the option to boot different operating systems located on different partitions or hard drives.
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. When a computer is powered on, this upgradeable firmware executes and identifies hardware devices. Once the BIOS has prepared the machine, the code in the MBR can be executed and the system boots. Some BIOS features have user changeable preferences.
DRIVE
Used to describe a hard disk or disk partition but is, in reality, a device which can accept and read/write data to a removable media such as CDs, floppies, flash drives, etc.
EIDE
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics. A type of interface technology for hard drives. Synonymous with IDE and PATA (see below).
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
A normal SATA or PATA laptop or desktop hard drive mounted inside an external enclosure - typically with a USB interface for connection to a computer. Most often used for data backups.
FAT
File Allocation Table. A type of that filesystem (see filesystem below) has been in existence in some form since the earliest days of PCs.
FILESYSTEM
A method for storing and organizing digital data on a computer disk drive. FAT32 and NTFS are now the most commonly used PC filesystems. FAT32 is used extensively on both hard disks and removable media, but NTFS is the preferred choice for Windows XP and Vista operating systems.
FORMATTING
The process of preparing a hard disk for use. For XP, the user can choose his preferred filesystem (FAT, NTFS) prior to the actual formatting procedure. Vista will install only to NTFS.
HARD DISK
Also known as a hard drive or fixed disk, it is a device that stores digital data for retrieval when needed by the computer system or user. Conventional designs store data on rotating disks (platters) with magnetic surfaces and come in two interface technologies: PATA (IDE) and SATA. The new SSD (Solid State Drive) stores data in memory chips. In both methods the data remains on the drive even when power is removed.
HDD
Standard abbreviation for hard disk drive.
IDE
Integrated Drive Electronics. An older standard for interfacing a drive with a peripheral bus. Now synonymous with EIDE or PATA.
MBR
Master Boot Record. Located in the very first sector of a hard disk, just preceding the first partition. When a computer is powered on, the BIOS instructions are executed and in turn the MBR code is loaded.
NAS
Network Attached Storage. A Hard disk drive or drives mounted in an external case that is attached by network cable to a computer network. The NAS has its own simplified operating system and makes itself available as additional storage to client computers on the network.
NTFS
NT (New Technology) File System. Introduced with Windows NT it is, in its present form, used extensively for Windows XP and exclusively for Vista installations. (See filesystem above)
PARTITION
A division or allotment of space created on a hard disk drive. Most hard drives have only one or two partitions. Read below...
1. Primary Partition
There can be up to four primary partitions. Most often there is only one partition containing the operating system files, user applications and data and the Windows swap file. This is the "active" partition (drive C:). Other partitions can be created and assigned different drive letters.
2. Extended Partition
There can be only one extended partition per hard disk, which can then be subdivided into "logical" drives, each assigned its own drive letter.
PATA
Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment. An older, but still available, hard drive interface. Due to limitations in maximum data transfer rates at 133 mb/s this technology is waning. PATA requires a wide ribbon data cable carrying 80 wires. These drives are produced in 3.5" form factor for desktop computers and 2.5" for laptops.
RAID
Redundant Array of Independent Disks. This is a method of using multiple hard disks for benefits of higher performance or greater data integrity. The most common types of RAID for home use are:
1. RAID 0. Requires two identical or very similar hard disks. This method stripes data across both disks, thus allowing for improved performance and greater capacity. Unfortunately, if one disk fails all the data goes with it.
2. RAID 1. Requires two identical or very similar hard disks. This is a mirroring array in which data is written to both disks simultaneously at all times. This redundancy provides a real time backup so, should one disk fail, the system doesn't crash. But, unlike normal backups, anything accidentally deleted or corrupted affects both drives.
3. RAID 1+0. Requires four identical or very similar hard disks. This method offers the benefits of both performance and redundancy, but the extra cost and available space inside the computer can be issues.
RECOVER
Typically (but not always) means to repair a particular problem in the underlying filesystem or data structure that is keeping a disk from operating properly, or to retrieve data that has been lost or deleted. It can, at times, be used synonymously with restore.
RESTORE
Usually applies to the re-installation of the operating system software as well as previously configured settings, application programs and data. It is sometimes used as a synonym for recover.
SATA
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. The most common hard drive interface. Originally rated at 150 mb/s, newer models are capable of 300 mb/s transfer rates. SATA drives require a narrow 7 wire data cable. These drives are available in the same form factor as PATA drives.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface. Due to their higher cost and the fact that home PCs don't provide a SCSI interface, SCSI drives are typically used in network server and high-end workstations where their speed and reliability are desired. These drives are now available in both 2.5" and 3.5" form factor.
SECTOR
The most basic division of data space on a hard disk. Sectors on a circular platter are grouped together in concentric tracks. A sector can be damaged, thus making the data stored on it unreadable. This data can be moved to a good sector and the bad one can be marked as such by the proper software. Marking the sector bad prevents any more data from being written to it.
SSD
Solid State Drive. A new type of non-mechanical hard drive that is lighter in weight and consumes less power than traditional hard disks. SSDs use flash memory to store data and are likely the drive of the future for PCs. Although the best ones offer far superior performance to ATA hard drives, their high cost to capacity is still an issue. The vast majority use standard SATA connections. SSDs come in two size formats: 2.5" and 1.8".
S.M.A.R.T.
Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. A form of on-board technology employed by hard drives to monitor disk activities in order to warn of impending failure. The current technology also attempts to detect and repair any errors found on individual sectors. SMART can usually be disabled in the PC's BIOS settings if desired.
TRIM
A function peculiar to Solid State Drives, the TRIM command reduces performance degradation by properly notifying the drive of deleted files. Older drives did not support trim, however new firmware is being released by drive manufacturers that can update some of those drives. Unlike earlier operating systems, Windows 7 system has native TRIM support.
USB FLASH DRIVE
Also called thumb drives, jump drives or pen drives. A type of portable data storage device incorporating flash memory with a USB interface. Their small size and increasingly large storage capacities make them ideal for moving files between locations or even running software. Most PCs can now boot from a USB flash drive that has been made bootable.
VOLUME BOOT SECTOR
Also called the Volume Boot Record or Partition Boot Sector, the Volume Boot Sector is the first sector of a hard disk partition. The code within this sector is invoked by the MBR or by a boot manager.
Software which gives users the option to boot different operating systems located on different partitions or hard drives.
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. When a computer is powered on, this upgradeable firmware executes and identifies hardware devices. Once the BIOS has prepared the machine, the code in the MBR can be executed and the system boots. Some BIOS features have user changeable preferences.
DRIVE
Used to describe a hard disk or disk partition but is, in reality, a device which can accept and read/write data to a removable media such as CDs, floppies, flash drives, etc.
EIDE
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics. A type of interface technology for hard drives. Synonymous with IDE and PATA (see below).
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
A normal SATA or PATA laptop or desktop hard drive mounted inside an external enclosure - typically with a USB interface for connection to a computer. Most often used for data backups.
FAT
File Allocation Table. A type of that filesystem (see filesystem below) has been in existence in some form since the earliest days of PCs.
FILESYSTEM
A method for storing and organizing digital data on a computer disk drive. FAT32 and NTFS are now the most commonly used PC filesystems. FAT32 is used extensively on both hard disks and removable media, but NTFS is the preferred choice for Windows XP and Vista operating systems.
FORMATTING
The process of preparing a hard disk for use. For XP, the user can choose his preferred filesystem (FAT, NTFS) prior to the actual formatting procedure. Vista will install only to NTFS.
HARD DISK
Also known as a hard drive or fixed disk, it is a device that stores digital data for retrieval when needed by the computer system or user. Conventional designs store data on rotating disks (platters) with magnetic surfaces and come in two interface technologies: PATA (IDE) and SATA. The new SSD (Solid State Drive) stores data in memory chips. In both methods the data remains on the drive even when power is removed.
HDD
Standard abbreviation for hard disk drive.
IDE
Integrated Drive Electronics. An older standard for interfacing a drive with a peripheral bus. Now synonymous with EIDE or PATA.
MBR
Master Boot Record. Located in the very first sector of a hard disk, just preceding the first partition. When a computer is powered on, the BIOS instructions are executed and in turn the MBR code is loaded.
NAS
Network Attached Storage. A Hard disk drive or drives mounted in an external case that is attached by network cable to a computer network. The NAS has its own simplified operating system and makes itself available as additional storage to client computers on the network.
NTFS
NT (New Technology) File System. Introduced with Windows NT it is, in its present form, used extensively for Windows XP and exclusively for Vista installations. (See filesystem above)
PARTITION
A division or allotment of space created on a hard disk drive. Most hard drives have only one or two partitions. Read below...
1. Primary Partition
There can be up to four primary partitions. Most often there is only one partition containing the operating system files, user applications and data and the Windows swap file. This is the "active" partition (drive C:). Other partitions can be created and assigned different drive letters.
2. Extended Partition
There can be only one extended partition per hard disk, which can then be subdivided into "logical" drives, each assigned its own drive letter.
PATA
Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment. An older, but still available, hard drive interface. Due to limitations in maximum data transfer rates at 133 mb/s this technology is waning. PATA requires a wide ribbon data cable carrying 80 wires. These drives are produced in 3.5" form factor for desktop computers and 2.5" for laptops.
RAID
Redundant Array of Independent Disks. This is a method of using multiple hard disks for benefits of higher performance or greater data integrity. The most common types of RAID for home use are:
1. RAID 0. Requires two identical or very similar hard disks. This method stripes data across both disks, thus allowing for improved performance and greater capacity. Unfortunately, if one disk fails all the data goes with it.
2. RAID 1. Requires two identical or very similar hard disks. This is a mirroring array in which data is written to both disks simultaneously at all times. This redundancy provides a real time backup so, should one disk fail, the system doesn't crash. But, unlike normal backups, anything accidentally deleted or corrupted affects both drives.
3. RAID 1+0. Requires four identical or very similar hard disks. This method offers the benefits of both performance and redundancy, but the extra cost and available space inside the computer can be issues.
RECOVER
Typically (but not always) means to repair a particular problem in the underlying filesystem or data structure that is keeping a disk from operating properly, or to retrieve data that has been lost or deleted. It can, at times, be used synonymously with restore.
RESTORE
Usually applies to the re-installation of the operating system software as well as previously configured settings, application programs and data. It is sometimes used as a synonym for recover.
SATA
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. The most common hard drive interface. Originally rated at 150 mb/s, newer models are capable of 300 mb/s transfer rates. SATA drives require a narrow 7 wire data cable. These drives are available in the same form factor as PATA drives.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface. Due to their higher cost and the fact that home PCs don't provide a SCSI interface, SCSI drives are typically used in network server and high-end workstations where their speed and reliability are desired. These drives are now available in both 2.5" and 3.5" form factor.
SECTOR
The most basic division of data space on a hard disk. Sectors on a circular platter are grouped together in concentric tracks. A sector can be damaged, thus making the data stored on it unreadable. This data can be moved to a good sector and the bad one can be marked as such by the proper software. Marking the sector bad prevents any more data from being written to it.
SSD
Solid State Drive. A new type of non-mechanical hard drive that is lighter in weight and consumes less power than traditional hard disks. SSDs use flash memory to store data and are likely the drive of the future for PCs. Although the best ones offer far superior performance to ATA hard drives, their high cost to capacity is still an issue. The vast majority use standard SATA connections. SSDs come in two size formats: 2.5" and 1.8".
S.M.A.R.T.
Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. A form of on-board technology employed by hard drives to monitor disk activities in order to warn of impending failure. The current technology also attempts to detect and repair any errors found on individual sectors. SMART can usually be disabled in the PC's BIOS settings if desired.
TRIM
A function peculiar to Solid State Drives, the TRIM command reduces performance degradation by properly notifying the drive of deleted files. Older drives did not support trim, however new firmware is being released by drive manufacturers that can update some of those drives. Unlike earlier operating systems, Windows 7 system has native TRIM support.
USB FLASH DRIVE
Also called thumb drives, jump drives or pen drives. A type of portable data storage device incorporating flash memory with a USB interface. Their small size and increasingly large storage capacities make them ideal for moving files between locations or even running software. Most PCs can now boot from a USB flash drive that has been made bootable.
VOLUME BOOT SECTOR
Also called the Volume Boot Record or Partition Boot Sector, the Volume Boot Sector is the first sector of a hard disk partition. The code within this sector is invoked by the MBR or by a boot manager.
This page contains some of the more common language used in the areas of hard disk design and data recovery. Some of the terminology below is linked to images so the reader better understand what is being described.
Find a solution here!
disk-restore.com
disk-restore.com
Software and tips to restore hard drives and recover data from fixed and removable disks.
©2010, Disk-Restore.com
