Floppy disk with IDE interface. Scheme, description

Free technical library

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RADIO ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Free library / Schemes of radio-electronic and electrical devices

Floppy disk with IDE interface. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Free technical library

Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering / Microcontrollers

Comments on the article

Everyone who works with computers sooner or later faces the problem of transferring large amounts of information from one machine to another. Well, if they are included in a computer network or connected to one another via modems. Otherwise, it remains tedious and long to transfer data to floppy disks, and then enter them into another computer. And if you need to transfer several hundred megabytes? The proposed article is devoted to one of the ways to solve the problem.

There are many devices specifically designed for long-term storage and transfer of large amounts of information from computer to computer. This is a variety of Zip. Jaz, Ditto and magneto-optical (MODD) drives. Zip drive stores data on special floppy disks with a capacity of about 100 MB. Jaz drive - a device that uses a cartridge with a disk resembling a hard disk of a conventional "hard drive", with a capacity of about 1 GB. Ditto drive - a kind of tape drive (streamer) with cassettes with a capacity of about 3 GB. In MODD, information is stored on a medium that looks like a regular CD, but combines optical and magnetic recording/reading technologies. It can contain several hundred megabytes of data. The disk is placed in a special case, similar to the case of a conventional floppy disk.

The advantages of all these devices are undeniable (large amounts of stored data, ease of use, high performance), but their widespread use by ordinary users today is hardly possible. Mainly because of the prices. yet inaccessible to most Russians. In addition, even drives of the same type, produced by different manufacturers, are often incompatible and there is no guarantee that the recording will be able to be read on another computer if it is not equipped with exactly the same device.

All of these drives are usually connected to a computer via a SCSI interface. Its controller (also, by the way, not a cheap device) is still rarely included in the computer package and you have to purchase it separately.

The method of transferring information described below may seem rather complicated, since it requires opening the computer, reconnecting cables, and making changes to the CMOS memory. Nevertheless, it is quite reliable and quite accessible to those who do not just press the keys, but are at least a little oriented in the computer device.

The method consists in removing a hard disk ("hard drive") with the necessary data from the computer, connecting it to another computer and transferring the data to the main "hard drive" of the latter. Both the main and a hard drive specially installed in the source computer can be removed.

For a "hard drive" used as a "floppy disk" for data transfer, the most important operational reliability and resistance to external mechanical influences (shocks, shaking). The products of Conner, Maxtor, Quantum Seagate proved to be the best from this side. The speed of transferring information in this case does not really matter - anyway, it is many times higher than when using conventional floppy disks,

In connection with the transition of many PC users to hard drives, the volume of which is measured in gigabytes, many quite serviceable "hard drives" with an IDE interface and with a capacity of 80 ... 420 MB, or even more, remain "out of work". Any of them can be used as a "floppy disk".

How to remove the "hard drive" from the computer is understandable without much explanation. It is enough to disconnect the computer from the network, remove the casing of its system unit, disconnect the interface and power cables from the "hard drive" and unscrew the fixing screws, carefully remove it. If there is no special need, it is better not to turn on the computer until the "hard drive" is returned to its place.

Installing an additional "hard drive" into a computer is somewhat more difficult. First of all, you need to find out if such a possibility is provided. If this is not clear from the available documentation, you should carefully review the messages displayed on the screen during the initial startup of the computer. If among the messages regarding the parameters of hard drives there are lines like "Secondary master: not installed", there is an opportunity to install an additional "hard drive".

Usually, in computers with an IDE controller, two "hard drives" can be installed on a separate board (multicard): master and slave. Both connect to the same interface cable with three 40-pin sockets (the third will connect to the "IDE" plug of the multicard). It should be borne in mind that often the connectors do not have a key that ensures the correct connection of the plug to the socket. Therefore, make sure that the first wire of the interface cable (highlighted in color) faces the drive's power connector. The controller plug is usually labeled to indicate the first pin. The "master" and "slave" modes are switched by rearranging the jumpers (jumpers) on the drives. Usually each of them has a sticker indicating the desired positions.

Sometimes the controller does not support the "slave" mode, but it is possible to install a second multicard by setting the appropriate jumper to its IDE controller in the "secondary" mode (on the first it is "primary"). "Winchester" is connected to such a controller with a separate cable. Since there are parallel and serial interface controllers on each of the multicards, care must be taken to ensure that there are no conflicts between them. It is best to disable unnecessary controllers with the jumpers provided for this.

Modern system (motherboard) boards, as a rule, are equipped with two built-in IDE controllers, and up to four "hard drives" can be connected to them: primary master, primary slave, secondary master and secondary slave. Accordingly, the board has two interface plugs. The main "hard drive" of the computer is included as a primary master, the CD-ROM drive (if, of course, there is one) is usually connected to the IDE controller as a secondary master. True, with an unprofessional assembly, it can also turn out to be the primary slave, which drastically slows down data exchange with the "hard drive". If a Sound Blaster is installed on the computer, then the CD-ROM can be connected directly to it without occupying the IDE controller. Any of the "vacancies" of the controller can be used for an additional "hard drive".

By connecting the interface and power cables to the floppy disk, you can turn on the computer. Most modern BIOS versions automatically determine all the parameters of a newly installed device, and the operator, as a rule, only needs to confirm the correctness of the definition. Sometimes auto-detection still requires you to enter the BIOS Setup program and start this mode.

If there is no auto-detection, it remains to find a sticker on the case of the "hard drive" on which its parameters are indicated: the number of cylinders (CYLS), heads (HEADS) and sectors (SECTORS) Sometimes the number of the cylinder is given, on which the reading head must be installed before turning off the device (LANDZ). Then, having entered the BIOS Setup, it makes sense to view the parameters of all the provided standard types of "hard drives", maybe there is a suitable one. But most often you have to choose "user type" and set parameters manually.

It should be borne in mind that the size of the hard disk determined by the BIOS may differ markedly from that indicated in its documentation. The point here is the difference in the counting algorithms. In addition, older versions of the BIOS "do not see" more than 508 MB (the so-called LBA mode) and the part of the drive capacity that exceeds this value cannot be used.

After a properly configured computer starts up, the newly installed drive usually becomes the D: drive. You can run programs from it and exchange data with other drives. Difficulties arise if the main or additional "hard drive" is divided into several logical drives. Depending on the BIOS, the names of these drives may change: for example, the former D: drive will become the E: drive. or one of the disks with matching names will become invisible. The last case, of course, is especially unpleasant, but it remains possible, after returning the old configuration, to transfer the necessary data to another disk, and then reinstall an additional "hard drive".

You need to disconnect the "floppy disk", of course, when the computer is turned off. After that, do not forget to restore the original state of CMOS. Otherwise, the BIOS will look for the missing drive and display a message about its failure.

For the convenience of using the "floppy" purchase a special sled. They are usually sold under the name "mobile rack". This inexpensive device, installed in a five-inch "pocket" of the computer case, allows you to connect and disconnect an IDE-"hard drive *" without opening the system unit.

Of course, when working with an "IDE floppy", some precautions must be taken. First of all - accuracy. "Winchester" is contraindicated in strong shaking. It is recommended to make a kind of container for its transportation, for example, a cardboard box pasted over with foam rubber inside. By the way, the pull-out module of the sled described above is great for transporting a "floppy disk".

If it is not possible to fix the "hard drive" in the socket of the computer case intended for this, try to place it nearby, but be sure to either strictly horizontally (which is preferable) or strictly vertically. An inclined position is undesirable. It is unacceptable to place the drive on metal parts of the computer case or on the power supply without placing something that does not conduct electricity under it. Do not put it on printed circuit boards either - this can damage both the "hard drive" and the board itself. And one more piece of advice: always carry an IDE cable with three connectors and a power splitter cable with the disk.

Author: M. Dolgiy, Moscow

See other articles Section Microcontrollers.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Machine for thinning flowers in gardens 02.05.2024

In modern agriculture, technological progress is developing aimed at increasing the efficiency of plant care processes. The innovative Florix flower thinning machine was presented in Italy, designed to optimize the harvesting stage. This tool is equipped with mobile arms, allowing it to be easily adapted to the needs of the garden. The operator can adjust the speed of the thin wires by controlling them from the tractor cab using a joystick. This approach significantly increases the efficiency of the flower thinning process, providing the possibility of individual adjustment to the specific conditions of the garden, as well as the variety and type of fruit grown in it. After testing the Florix machine for two years on various types of fruit, the results were very encouraging. Farmers such as Filiberto Montanari, who has used a Florix machine for several years, have reported a significant reduction in the time and labor required to thin flowers. ... >>

Advanced Infrared Microscope 02.05.2024

Microscopes play an important role in scientific research, allowing scientists to delve into structures and processes invisible to the eye. However, various microscopy methods have their limitations, and among them was the limitation of resolution when using the infrared range. But the latest achievements of Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo open up new prospects for studying the microworld. Scientists from the University of Tokyo have unveiled a new microscope that will revolutionize the capabilities of infrared microscopy. This advanced instrument allows you to see the internal structures of living bacteria with amazing clarity on the nanometer scale. Typically, mid-infrared microscopes are limited by low resolution, but the latest development from Japanese researchers overcomes these limitations. According to scientists, the developed microscope allows creating images with a resolution of up to 120 nanometers, which is 30 times higher than the resolution of traditional microscopes. ... >>

Air trap for insects 01.05.2024

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy, and pest control is an integral part of this process. A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla, has come up with an innovative solution to this problem - a wind-powered insect air trap. This device addresses the shortcomings of traditional pest control methods by providing real-time insect population data. The trap is powered entirely by wind energy, making it an environmentally friendly solution that requires no power. Its unique design allows monitoring of both harmful and beneficial insects, providing a complete overview of the population in any agricultural area. “By assessing target pests at the right time, we can take necessary measures to control both pests and diseases,” says Kapil ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Robots instead of migrants 22.10.2012

Smart and safe, Baxter's multifunctional industrial robot worker could revolutionize the job market. In particular, American companies plan to use such machines to abandon low-skilled foreign labor, mainly from China and other Asian countries. Thus, American companies will gain a competitive advantage, and the world economy will face a serious problem of millions of unemployed in the poorest and most populous region of the planet.

The Baxter robot is currently cooperating with people, but in the future such machines will be a real gift for a small manufacturer who cannot afford expensive labor in Western countries.

First of all, it does not require any safety barriers and expensive protective equipment, which means that it can be used in ordinary workshops, including those of small companies. The developers have repeatedly demonstrated the safety of their offspring, putting their hand in the way of powerful robot manipulators. Baxter is equipped with an array of ultrasonic sensors that detect these obstacles and bypass them with careful movements. In addition, sensitive sensors on the manipulators detect unexpected obstacles and, if necessary, instantly stop the movement.

As a result, instead of the expected powerful blow, a person who dared to stand in the way of the robot feels only a light touch. Baxter, about 180 cm tall and 136 kg in weight, costs only $22 and can do the whole cycle of simple tasks like sorting and packing goods.

Other interesting news:

▪ Sensors to protect American football players

▪ People's brains work differently

▪ Firefox 3.6 will detect screen orientation

▪ Identification by electronic activity of the brain

▪ Guest workers in the world

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Electrical safety, fire safety. Article selection

▪ article Looking for a person. Popular expression

▪ article Why did no one win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1948? Detailed answer

▪ article Motor for an aircraft. Personal transport

▪ article Electronic accessories on the microcontroller for the game STALKER. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article VHF heterodyne receiver at 144 MHz. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews