The hard drive is one of the most important parts of a computer. “The hard drive is a massive storage device found in all PCs that is used to store permanent data such as the operating system, programs, and user files." Its the main, and usually the biggest, storage device in a computer. Even though the data can be overwritten, the hard drive doesn't need a constant power supply to keep information on it. The hard drive records and reads data that is put on the hard disk. The data on the hard disk is stored in files. (1, 2, 3)
How does a Hard Drive read and record information?-Bobby
Inside the hard drive is several disks, or platters, that spin very quickly on their spindle. These disks are made of glass or aluminum and have a magnetic coating that's very thin to record the information. The hard drive stores data by "writing" information in the coating and storing the information magnetically. A read and write head reads and records information on the spinning disk by bouncing and electrical current from the head to the platter and allowing the arm to read the numbers. (4)
Brief History: How big were they? How much did they hold? How big are they now? How much do they hold now?-Kenzie
Hard drives have come a long way from when they were invented in 1950. At first they held only a few megabytes and were up to 20 inches in diameter. They were originally called “fixed disks”. Modern hard drives for desktops are usually 3”x5”x1”. They now hold anywhere between 10 and 40 gigabytes. They’re similar to cassette tapes because they both use the same recording techniques. (1, 3)
What is a Hard Drive? What does it do?-Bobby
The hard drive is one of the most important parts of a computer. “The hard drive is a massive storage device found in all PCs that is used to store permanent data such as the operating system, programs, and user files." Its the main, and usually the biggest, storage device in a computer. Even though the data can be overwritten, the hard drive doesn't need a constant power supply to keep information on it. The hard drive records and reads data that is put on the hard disk. The data on the hard disk is stored in files. (1, 2, 3)
How does a Hard Drive read and record information?-Bobby
Inside the hard drive is several disks, or platters, that spin very quickly on their spindle. These disks are made of glass or aluminum and have a magnetic coating that's very thin to record the information. The hard drive stores data by "writing" information in the coating and storing the information magnetically. A read and write head reads and records information on the spinning disk by bouncing and electrical current from the head to the platter and allowing the arm to read the numbers. (4)
Brief History: How big were they? How much did they hold? How big are they now? How much do they hold now?-Kenzie
Hard drives have come a long way from when they were invented in 1950. At first they held only a few megabytes and were up to 20 inches in diameter. They were originally called “fixed disks”. Modern hard drives for desktops are usually 3”x5”x1”. They now hold anywhere between 10 and 40 gigabytes. They’re similar to cassette tapes because they both use the same recording techniques. (1, 3)
Sources:
(1) http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htm
(2) http://computer.howstuffworks.com/hard-disk3.htm
(3) http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/hard-drive-basics.htm
(4) http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4926101_hard-drive-store-data.html