LAB 5 (Assigned Research)
STUDENT NAME:
SAHIL SEWTA
STUDENT ID: N01607942
DATE: 13 October, 2023
ASSIGNED RESEARCH: INDIVIDUAL WORK (25 Marks)
Answer the following assignment questions and submit your work on Blackboard on/before due
date
1. Research one of HITACHI and one of WESTERN DIGITAL internal hard drive of 1 terabytes (TB)
capacity. In chart form compare the specifications for each drive. Do NOT copy from a website.
Include the full URL and web pages where you found your information. Include the following:
(15 Marks)
Specification
HITACHI Hard
Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Hard
Drive
1. Average Seek Time
6.43ms
8.9 ms
2. Rotational Speed
7200 RPM
5400RPM
3. Internal Transfer Rate
1.5GB/sec
6GBps
Specification
4. Storage Capacity
5. Product Name/Model
Number
6. Drive Interface Type
HITACHI Hard
Drive
4TB
HDS724040ALE640
SATA 6GB/s
7. Form Factor
3.5 inch
8. Buffer Size (Cache)
Up to 64MB
WESTERN DIGITAL Hard
Drive
Up to 18 TB
WD Blue
SATA
3.5 inch
Up to 512 MB
From the following link I found this information:
Here's the template: Specification HITACHI Hard Drive WESTERN DIGITAL Hard Drive 1. Average Seek
Time 2. Rotational Speed 3. Internal Transfer Rate 4. Storage Capacity 5. Product Name/Model Number
6. Drive Interface Type 7. Form Factor 8. Buffer size (cache) - Search (bing.com)
QUESTIONS (10 marks):
2. List three advantages of the SATA drive over the PATA drive? (2 MARKS)
Here are three advantages of the SATA drive over the PATA drive :
1) Faster Data Transfer Rates: SATA drives have significantly faster data transfer rates compared to
PATA drives. SATA offers higher bandwidth and allows for faster read and write operations, making it
more suitable for modern data-intensive applications.
2) Thinner and More Flexible Cables: SATA cables are thinner and more flexible than the wide ribbon
cables used in PATA connections. This allows for better cable management within computer cases and
enhances airflow, which can contribute to improved system cooling.
3) Improved Scalability and Compatibility: SATA drives are more scalable and compatible with newer
technologies. SATA has become the industry standard for connecting hard drives and optical
drives, making it easier to find compatible hardware and ensuring long-term support for future
system upgrades.
3. What do you understand by LBA (Logical Block Addressing)? (1 MARK)
LBA is a method for addressing and accessing data on storage devices in a straightforward and
standardized manner. It has become the standard for modern storage devices, making it easier to
manage and access data on hard drives, SSDs, and other storage media.
4. Which hard drive diagnostics utilities are offered by Hitachi and Western digital manufacturers?
What form of boot media are supported by these utilities? (2MARKS)
Hitachi offers Drive Fitness Test (DFT) for its hard drives. Western Digital provides a comprehensive
list of software, firmware, drivers, and utilities for their products on their website . DFT is a self-booting
tool that can be run from CD or USB thumb drive .
5. What is the advantage of an SSD over a regular magnetic hard drive? (2 Marks)
Here are some of the benefits of SSDs:
Durability and Reliability: SSDs are more durable and reliable than HDDs because they don’t have any
moving parts. This makes them less prone to damage from drops, shocks, and everyday wear and tear
2. Speed: SSDs are much faster than HDDs. They offer shorter boot times for your computer, more immediate
data transfer, and higher bandwidth. Faster speeds mean SSDs can handle data at the ultra-speeds necessary
in today’s business world especially when running programs that access large amounts of data such as an
operating system .
3. Power and Energy Efficient: Since an SSD has no moving parts, they need less power to operate compared
to an HDD with a magnetic spinning disk. Energy efficiency is a big benefit in using an SSD when it comes
to PC and mobile devices where battery longevity is a highly marketable and asked-for feature .
4. Less Weight and No Noise: Its smaller size allows SSDs to weigh less than the larger HDDs with their
magnetic heads and metallic disks. Their compact design makes SSDs perfect for laptops, tablets, and other
small electronic devices. The absence of moving parts also makes SSDs infinitely quieter than HDDs
whose noise and vibrations can be very distracting.
1.
6. Find the manufacturer of your system’s hard drive. Go to your manufacturer’s website and
search for diagnostic software. (3 Marks)What software did you find?
The manufacturer of our system’s hard drive is Western Digital.
Western digital diagnostic software: This helps to manage, configure, and optimize WD
external drives. It can be used for formatting drives, setting up security features, and
running diagnostics.
I found Data Lifeguard Diagnostic (DLG) software, which is a free utility provided by
Western Digital to test and diagnose WD hard drives.
What are the symptoms of the hard drive problems listed on the hard drive manufacturer’s
website? List at least 2 symptoms.
Common symptoms of hard drive problems can include:
1.
Slow Performance: If your computer's performance has significantly decreased, it may be a sign
of a failing hard drive. This can manifest as slower boot times, longer load times for files and
applications, and general system lag.
2. Unusual Noises: Unusual clicking, grinding, or whirring noises coming from your hard drive can
indicate mechanical issues within the drive, such as a failing or misaligned read/write head.
Symptoms can also include file corruption, frequent system crashes, unresponsive or freezing
applications, and more. It's important to back up your data regularly and consult the manufacturer's
resources or a professional technician if you suspect issues with your hard drive.