Active hard drive protection
Encyclopedia
In computer hardware, active hard-drive protection refers to technology that attempts to avoid or reduce mechanical damage to hard disk drives by preparing the disk(s) prior to impact. This approach is mainly used in laptop computers that are frequently carried around and more prone to impacts than desktop computer
s.
s that alert the system when excess acceleration or vibration is detected. The software then tells the hard disk to unload its heads to prevent them coming in contact with the platter, thus potentially preventing head crash
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This technology only engages if the hard drive is running at the moment of impact. Modern hard drives are designed to unload their heads when they lose power.
Many laptop vendors have implemented this technology under different names:
Some hard-disk drives also include this technology, needing no cooperation from the system. For example:
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
s.
Implementation
Usually the system consists of accelerometerAccelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
s that alert the system when excess acceleration or vibration is detected. The software then tells the hard disk to unload its heads to prevent them coming in contact with the platter, thus potentially preventing head crash
Head crash
A head crash is a hard-disk failure that occurs when a read–write head of a hard disk drive comes in contact with its rotating platter, resulting in permanent and usually irreparable damage to the magnetic media on the platter surface....
.
This technology only engages if the hard drive is running at the moment of impact. Modern hard drives are designed to unload their heads when they lose power.
Many laptop vendors have implemented this technology under different names:
- HDAPS, Hard Drive Active Protection System, by Lenovo (originally designed by IBMIBMInternational Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
) - Sudden Motion SensorSudden Motion SensorThe Sudden Motion Sensor is Apple's patent-pending motion-based hardware and data-protection system used in their notebook computer systems. Apple introduced the system January 1, 2005 in its refreshed PowerBook line, and included it in the iBook line July 26, 2005...
by Apple Inc. - GraviSense by Acer
- 3D DriveGuard, HP Mobile Data Protection System 3D and ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection by HP
- Free Fall Sensor (FFS) by DellDellDell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
- HDD Protection by ToshibaToshibais a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
Some hard-disk drives also include this technology, needing no cooperation from the system. For example:
- Free Fall Sensor in some Western DigitalWestern DigitalWestern Digital Corporation is one of the largest computer hard disk drive manufacturers in the world. It has a long history in the electronics industry as an integrated circuit maker and a storage products company. Western Digital was founded on April 23, 1970 by Alvin B...
's Scorpio Black drives http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6544/~/what-is-a-free-fall-sensor-and-which-wd-drives-include-this-feature%3F - G-Force Protection by Seagate TechnologySeagate TechnologySeagate Technology is one of the world's largest manufacturers of hard disk drives. Incorporated in 1978 as Shugart Technology, Seagate is currently incorporated in Dublin, Ireland and has its principal executive offices in Scotts Valley, California, United States.-1970s:On November 1, 1979...