Chapter 7 Installing DVDs, CD-ROMs, and IDE hard drives Prepared by: Khurram N. Shamsi

Hard Disk A hard disk is a form of non-volatile storage. That means whatever is placed on the disk remains there even when the computer’s power is turned off. Another name for it is secondary storage.

Types of Hard Drives There are three different types of hard drives; based on the type of interface.  IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drives.  SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) hard drives.  SCSI(Scuzzy) hard drives.

IDE Hard Drives IDE is a common interface used in many personal computers before the emergence of SATA. It is the least expensive of the interfaces. Disadvantages  Older IDE adapters will limit transfer rates according to the slower attached device (debatable)  Only ONE device on the IDE cable is able to read/write at one time  Limited standard for cable length (up to 18inches/46cm) Advantages  Low costs  Large capacity.

SATA Hard Drives SATA is basically an advancement of older IDE drives. Disadvantages  Slower transfer rates compared to SCSI  Not supported in older systems without the use of additional components Advantages  Low costs  Large capacity  Faster transfer rates compared to ATA (difference is marginal at times though)  Smaller cables for better heat dissipation

SCSI Hard Drives SCSI is commonly used in servers, and more in industrial applications than home uses. Disadvantages  Costs  Not widely supported  Many, many different kinds of SCSI interfaces  SCSI drives have a higher RPM, creating more noise and heat

Advantages of SCSI Hard Drives Faster Wide range of applications Better scalability and flexibility in Arrays (RAID) Backward compatible with older SCSI devices Better for storing and moving large amounts of data Tailor made for 24/7 operations Reliability

Steps to install a hard disk Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Remove the cabinet and ground yourself. Put the hard disk drive in the proper place and put the screws in place so that the drive is fixed.

Steps to install a hard disk Connect the signal and power cable. Close the cabinet. Switch on the computer and look for the hard disk drive.

CD and DVD Drives CD and DVD drives fall into the optical category of drives. Optical disks and drives store data in patterns of transitions between areas of greater and lesser reflectivity on the shiny surface of a disk. Data on an optical disk is stored in patterns of pits on the disk’s surface.

Types of CD and DVD Drives CD-R drives  These can write to write-once CD-Rs but not to CD-RWs.  Such drives are no longer being made. CD-RW drives  These drives can write either to CD-Rs or to multi-rewritable CD- RWs. DVD-ROM drives  These are also called DVD players.  These can read from data DVDs and can play DVD movies. DVD-recorder drives  These can do everything a DVD-ROM drive can do.  They can also write to single-use DVD blanks or to multi-rewritable DVDs.

Types of CDs and DVDs Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) CD-Recordable (CD-R) CD-Rewritable (CD-RW) Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Recordable / Rewritable DVDs DVD-R DVD-RW DVD-RAM DVD+RW Multiformat rewritable DVD drives Dual-layer recordable drives

CD and DVD drive interfaces EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) or ATAPI (Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface). SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) Interface. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). USB (Universal Serial Bus) Interface. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Interface.

Handling CDs and DVDs Handle the CDs and DVDs only at the hub or the outer edge. Don’t touch the shiny surface. When you insert a CD or a DVD into the drive, make sure you seat it properly in the tray. If a CD or DVD needs to be cleaned, wipe in a redial motion from the inner hub to the outer hub. Don’t use a circular motion. Don’t use cleaning agents – many solvents used in them can damage a disc. Don’t use a wet cloth.

Handling CDs and DVDs Avoid cleaning the label side of the CD or DVD. Use a caddy to transport CDs and DVDs, and store them in their cases when not in use. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold. When writing on a CD, use only a sharpie pen. Avoid excess humidity. Avoid direct sunlight and high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light.

Steps to Install DVD Drives Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Remove the cabinet and ground yourself. Put the DVD drive in the proper place and put the screws in place so that the drive is fixed. Connect the signal and power cable. Close the cabinet. Switch on the computer and install the software provided with the DVD drive.

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