Inside a PC/MAC Hard Drive
Dec 22, 2014 10:15:59 #
Ever wonder what your hard drive looks like on theinside? This is an old 146GB hard drive. It measures 5 3/4" by 4". The platter are 3 1/4" 4 platters, 8 heads. The read/write head at the end of the "arm" measures 1/16".
Dec 22, 2014 10:27:36 #
Dec 22, 2014 10:41:44 #
larryjphoto
Loc: Phoenix
Word of warning for you curious folks. Do not open up a "good" hard drive. Once you do, it's junk. Hard drives are assembled in a clean room. Any spec of dust on the spinning platter will likely cause a catastrophic failure.
The read head of a hard drive floats on a cushion of air just microns above the spinning platter surface. Think of it as a 747 flying 2 ft above the gound at 500 mph and then hitting a car (the dust particle). It causes a small gash on the magnetic material surface and likely will make the drive unusable.
The read head of a hard drive floats on a cushion of air just microns above the spinning platter surface. Think of it as a 747 flying 2 ft above the gound at 500 mph and then hitting a car (the dust particle). It causes a small gash on the magnetic material surface and likely will make the drive unusable.
Dec 22, 2014 10:47:29 #
If you do open one up to explore, you'll also find the pickup arm end opposite the head is moved about by one or two very powerful magnets (and an electro-magnetic coil). Those magnets are worth the effort to salvage.
Dec 25, 2014 16:14:59 #
I am not hijacking your thread but thought u might be interested in an old 5.25" full height HDD clock that I made many many years ago.... still works too.
Was a Tandon 502, Serial No #3 and I think it was all of 5Mb in size and the spindle speed was 3600rpm.
Sits on my credenza and is a nice conversation piece for visitors.
Things have SURE changed since then!
Was a Tandon 502, Serial No #3 and I think it was all of 5Mb in size and the spindle speed was 3600rpm.
Sits on my credenza and is a nice conversation piece for visitors.
Things have SURE changed since then!
Dec 30, 2014 08:49:39 #
Nice job on the clock. I do remember that disc drive. I spent 45 years in the IT business (data processing back when I started). I remember working on paper tape punches and readers. If I remember right, Remex used to make them.
Dec 30, 2014 15:37:13 #
Thanks for your compliment -- the clock does impress visitors!
I spent 21 years providing PC support to legal offices, medical offices and some parts of both Federal and State Courthouses in Dallas.
This drive weighs a "ton" and was manufactured by Tandom. I downloaded the spec sheet for this drive. The lowly-est thumbdrive today is bigger, faster and fits in the coin pocket of your trousers!
Somewhere on my walls is a plaque that says, "If everything had progressed at the rate of the IT field; you could fly your family in your private shuttle to and from Mars for the weekend on $1.99 of fuel."
Things have SURELY changed and we are SO VERY glad to not be on call 24/7/365. Retirement is wonderful!
I spent 21 years providing PC support to legal offices, medical offices and some parts of both Federal and State Courthouses in Dallas.
This drive weighs a "ton" and was manufactured by Tandom. I downloaded the spec sheet for this drive. The lowly-est thumbdrive today is bigger, faster and fits in the coin pocket of your trousers!
Somewhere on my walls is a plaque that says, "If everything had progressed at the rate of the IT field; you could fly your family in your private shuttle to and from Mars for the weekend on $1.99 of fuel."
Things have SURELY changed and we are SO VERY glad to not be on call 24/7/365. Retirement is wonderful!
Dec 30, 2014 15:50:14 #
grusum wrote:
Thanks for your compliment -- the clock does impre... (show quote)
I'm also retired, and do you have it right. I do not miss the 24/7/365 rat race. When I was working, most people were shocked to discover I had to go in on Christmas Day a few times. I love retirement, in particular when it's snowing like crazy, and I don't have to worry about going in!
Feb 27, 2020 01:22:09 #
grusum wrote:
I am not hijacking your thread but thought u might be interested in an old 5.25" full height HDD clock that I made many many years ago.... still works too.
Was a Tandon 502, Serial No #3 and I think it was all of 5Mb in size and the spindle speed was 3600rpm.
Sits on my credenza and is a nice conversation piece for visitors.
Things have SURE changed since then!
Was a Tandon 502, Serial No #3 and I think it was all of 5Mb in size and the spindle speed was 3600rpm.
Sits on my credenza and is a nice conversation piece for visitors.
Things have SURE changed since then!
Wow that is cool. How much would it take if i want one? Parcel sent to Philippines?
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