Primary memory has limited storage capacity and is volatile. Secondary memory overcomes this limitation by providing permanent storage of data in bulk quantity. Secondary memory is also termed external memory and refers to the various storage media on which a computer can store data and programs. The Secondary storage media can be fixed or removable. Fixed Storage media is an internal storage medium like a hard disk that is fixed inside the computer.
What is a Hard Disk Drive?
A hard disk is a memory storage device that looks like this:

The disk is divided into tracks. Each track is further divided into sectors. The point to be noted here is that outer tracks are bigger in size than the inner tracks but they contain the same number of sectors and have equal storage capacity. This is because the storage density is high in sectors of the inner tracks whereas the bits are sparsely arranged in sectors of the outer tracks. Some space of every sector is used for formatting. So, the actual capacity of a sector is less than the given capacity.
Read-Write(R-W) head moves over the rotating hard disk. It is this Read-Write head that performs all the read and writes operations on the disk and hence, the position of the R-W head is a major concern. To perform a read or write operation on a memory location, we need to place the R-W head over that position. Some important terms must be noted here:
- Seek time – The time taken by the R-W head to reach the desired track from its current position.
- Rotational latency – Time is taken by the sector to come under the R-W head.
- Data transfer time – Time is taken to transfer the required amount of data. It depends upon the rotational speed.
- Controller time – The processing time taken by the controller.
- Average Access time – seek time + Average Rotational latency + data transfer time + controller time.
Note: Average Rotational latency is mostly 1/2*(Rotational latency).
In questions, if the seek time and controller time are not mentioned, take them to be zero.
If the amount of data to be transferred is not given, assume that no data is being transferred. Otherwise, calculate the time taken to transfer the given amount of data.
The average rotational latency is taken when the current position of the R-W head is not given. Because the R-W may be already present at the desired position or it might take a whole rotation to get the desired sector under the R-W head. But, if the current position of the R-W head is given then the rotational latency must be calculated.
For Example –
Consider a hard disk with:
- 4 surfaces
- 64 tracks/surface
- 128 sectors/track
- 256 bytes/sector
What is the capacity of the hard disk?
- Disk capacity = surfaces * tracks/surface * sectors/track * bytes/sector
Disk capacity = 4 * 64 * 128 * 256
Disk capacity = 8 MB
The disk is rotating at 3600 RPM, what is the data transfer rate?
- 60 sec -> 3600 rotations
1 sec -> 60 rotations
Data transfer rate = number of rotations per second * track capacity * number of surfaces (since 1 R-W head is used for each surface)
Data transfer rate = 60 * 128 * 256 * 4
Data transfer rate = 7.5 MB/sec
The disk is rotating at 3600 RPM, what is the average access time?
- Since seek time, controller time and the amount of data to be transferred is not given, we consider all three terms as 0.
Therefore, Average Access time = Average rotational delay
Rotational latency => 60 sec -> 3600 rotations
1 sec -> 60 rotations
Rotational latency = (1/60) sec = 16.67 msec.
Average Rotational latency = (16.67)/2
= 8.33 msec.
Average Access time = 8.33 msec.
Another example: GATE IT 2007 | Question 44
How do Hard Disk Drives Work?
Most basic hard drives are made up of numerous disk platters, which are circular disks composed of aluminum, glass, or ceramic that are arranged around a spindle inside a sealed chamber. The platter is spun by a motor attached to the spindle. The chamber also contains the read/write heads, which use a magnetic head to record information to and from tracks on the platters. The disks are additionally covered in a thin magnetic coating.
The platters rotate at up to 15,000 rotations per minute by the motor. A second motor regulates the location of the read and write heads that magnetically record and read information on each platter as the platters rotate. The compartments that store the data can be spread out all over the hard disk.
Hard Disk Drive Storage Capacity
- Three storage options 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. This is one of the lowest HDD storage space ranges and is often seen in older and smaller devices.
- There are two sizes 120 GB and 256 GB. This category is commonly regarded as an entry level for HDD devices like as laptops or desktops.
- 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB are available. HDD storage of 500 GB or more is often deemed adequate for the average user. With this much capacity, users can most certainly save all of their music, photos, videos, and other information. Individuals with large-file games should find 1 TB to 2 TB of HDD capacity adequate.
- More than 2 TB of storage. Anything with more than 2 TB of HDD space is appropriate for users who work with high-resolution files.
- Recently, the highest capacity of HDD is 20 TB.
History of HDD
The hard disk was developed in 1953 by IBM developers who were looking for a solution to offer low-cost random access to large amounts of data. The first disk drives, which had a capacity of 3.75 MB and were the size of refrigerators, started to be shipped in 1956. Another early supplier of hard disk drive technology was Memorex, followed by Seagate Technology and Western Digital.
The size of hard disk drives has been getting smaller as technology has advanced. The 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors were introduced and standardized in personal computers by the middle of the 1980s.
The storage capacity of latest hard disk drives is in the terabyte range, compared to the initial hard disk drives’ capacity of megabytes. HGST, formerly known as Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, is a Western Digital brand released the first 1 TB hard drives in 2007. In 2015, HGST introduced the first 10 TB hard drive. And in 2021, Western Digital introduced two 20 TB HDDs.
Features of HDD
- Non-volatile: HDD is a non-volatile memory device, which means that the data stored on it persists even when the power is turned off. This makes it an ideal storage medium for long-term data storage.
- High Capacity: HDDs can store a large amount of data. Modern HDDs can store terabytes of data, making them an ideal choice for storing large files such as videos, photos, and audio recordings.
- Relatively Slow Speed: Compared to primary memory devices such as RAM, HDDs are relatively slow. The data access time for an HDD is typically measured in milliseconds, while the access time for RAM is measured in nanoseconds. This makes HDDs better suited for long-term storage rather than for frequently accessed data.
- Mechanical Parts: Unlike solid-state drives (SSDs), HDDs have mechanical parts that can wear out over time, leading to reduced performance or even failure. HDDs contain spinning disks and moving read/write heads, which can be susceptible to damage if the drive is bumped or dropped.
- Cost-effective: HDDs are generally less expensive than SSDs, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious users. This is particularly true for larger capacity drives.
- Reliable: While HDDs are not as reliable as SSDs due to their mechanical components, they are still considered to be a reliable storage medium. HDDs are designed to withstand heavy use and are often used in enterprise-level storage solutions.
What are External HDDs?
External hard drives can be used as a portable data backup device or to increase a computer’s storage capacity. Through connectors like USB 2.0, USB-C, or External SATA (eSATA), external disks can be connected to a computer or other device. Additionally, compared to internal HDDs, external hard drives may transport data more slowly.
In addition to being able to increase a system storage capacity, an external hard drive also has the benefit of being portable. Users are able to physically carry their stored data on numerous devices with them wherever they go.
Advantages of HDD
- Capacity Limit: HDDs offer enormous stockpiling limits contrasted with other auxiliary memory choices, making them appropriate for putting away immense measures of information, including media records, reports, and applications.
- Practical: HDDs are by and large more savvy per unit of capacity contrasted with strong state drives (SSDs) and other fast stockpiling choices, pursuing them a favored decision for those requiring broad capacity without burning through every last cent.
- Mature Innovation: HDDs have been around for quite a while, making them a deep rooted and solid innovation. They’ve gone through various refinements and upgrades, coming about in vigorous, tried, and dependable capacity arrangements.
- Similarity: HDDs are viable with most PCs and working frameworks, guaranteeing simplicity of coordination and use across various stages.
- Successive Read/Compose Execution: In specific situations, especially with huge document moves or consecutive information access, HDDs can give fair read and compose speeds.
- Life span: With legitimate consideration and support, HDDs can have a moderately lengthy life expectancy, making them reasonable for long haul stockpiling needs.
- Data Maintenance: HDDs can hold information in any event, when controlled off, pursuing them a solid decision for putting away data for broadened periods.
- Information Recuperation: at times, information recuperation from a faltering HDD can be conceivable utilizing specific devices and strategies, giving an opportunity to recover important data even from harmed drives.
- Steady Overhauls: HDDs can be effectively updated or supplanted without broad specialized information. Clients can add more drives or supplant existing ones with bigger limits depending on the situation.
- Wide Accessibility: HDDs are broadly accessible in different structure elements, sizes, and capacity limits, making them effectively available for different registering needs.
Hard Disk Drive – FAQs
1. Why does a computer need a hard drive?
We use Hard Drive to install operating systems, programs, additional storage devices, and to save data. If we don’t have hard disk in computer we are not able to save programs, files, or documents to their computers. HDD store data even after the computer is turn off.
2. What is the main difference between a solid state drive(SSD) and a hard disk drive(HDD)?
A Hard Disk Driver (HDD) need a revolving platter to read or write data but A solid state drive(SSD) doesn’t require it. SSDs operate similarly to flash drives, which also don’t contain any moving components. SSD is reliability and fast in speed as compared to hard disk drives.
For more information you can refer to this article.
3. What is a dynamic disk hard drive?
Dynamic disks hard drive manage data in a different way than traditional drives. Dynamic drives are more flexible and can store more data at a time, unlike traditional drives that might reserve a specific amount of space for the operating system.
4. What is stored on a hard drive?
A hard drive hold pictures, music, videos, text documents, and files. Hard drives also hold the files needed for the computer’s operating system and software applications.
Level Up Your GATE Prep!
Embark on a transformative journey towards GATE success by choosing
Data Science & AI as your second paper choice with our specialized course. If you find yourself lost in the vast landscape of the GATE syllabus, our program is the compass you need.
Last Updated :
19 Nov, 2023
Like Article
Save Article