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Similarly, the various items related to computers have also begun to exercise control over our lives. This is as true of computer components as other things related to them.

Computer Components

A computer consists of several sub units which function together to form the computer system as we understand it. The basic sub units of the computer are the computer casing, motherboard, processor, memory card, hard disk drive, keyboard, mouse and the monitor.

·          Computer Casing: This encloses all the important components such as the motherboard, The processor, the memory card and the hard disk drive. The keyboard, the mouse and the monitor are outside the computer casing.

·          Motherboard: This is the main circuit board of the computer.

·          Processor: This is also known as the central processing unit. It refers to those machines which are capable of executing the computer programs.

·          Memory Card: These are those parts of the computer which retain the varied digital data.

·          Keyboard: This is used for typing all the information on to the computer system.

·          Mouse: This is used for moving the cursor on the computer screen.

·          Monitor: This is what holds the computer screen.

·          Hard Disk Drive: These store the digitally encoded data.

These devices, the hard disk drives, are non volatile in nature. Non volatile refers to the fact that if some kind of memory is stored on the hard disk drive then it will remain there even when the hard disk drive is not powered.

Applications of Hard Disk Drives

The hard disk drives were invented in the last century. The original reason for the development of the hard disk drives was for use in computers. In today’s date their use extends to applications that are way beyond their original intent.

In today’s date the hard disk drives are used in things as varied as the digital video recorders, digital audio players and even mobile phones. Not only that, objects as diverse as the digital cameras and video game consoles have also started using the hard disk drives.

Components of Hard Disk Drives

·          Spindle: This holds the platters in place.

·          Platters: These are circular disks on which data is recorded. The material of the platters is non-magnetic in nature. Generally the material used is either glass or aluminium. These materials are in turn given a thin coating of a magnetic material.

·          Head: The read and write heads of the hard disk drives are used for both detection and modification of the magnetic material on the platters. Each platter has a different head. All the heads are mounted on a single arm.

·          Actuator Arm: This is the device that moves the heads on an arc over and above the platters, while they are spinning. It is moved by the usage of a voice coil actuator.

·          Actuator

·          Actuator Axis

·          Power Connector

·          Jumper Block

·          IDE Block

Working of Hard Disk Drive

The Hard disk drives function in a very intricate manner. The platters spin on the spindle and the spinning is at a very high speed. These platters move across the read and write heads.

The read and write heads operate very closely to the magnetic surface of the platters. These heads are responsible for the detection and modification of the magnetic material of the platters.

The actuator arm, on which the read and write heads are mounted, moves in a, roughly speaking, radial manner, across the platters. This happens when the platters are moving at enormous speeds. This allows complete access to each head.

Hard Disk Drive Crash

At times what happens is that the read and write heads of the hard disk drive may crash on to the surface of the platters. This will cause scratches to develop on the magnetic surface of the latter. The problem can be compounded if it is not brought to an immediate halt.

It is possible that particulate materials from the head crash spreads across the platters. If the hard disk drive is operated at this time then the particles which have spread from the previous head crash can cause further damage to the magnetic surface of the healthy platters.