Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

5 minutes 5 Questions

A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores digital data on magnetic disks, also called platters, which are coated with magnetic material. Data is read and written by an actuator arm with read/write heads that hover above the rotating disks. HDDs use magnetic storage to retain data even when the power is off. HDDs offer large storage capacities at a relatively low cost but are slower than other storage devices, such as solid-state drives (SSDs). HDDs are used in desktops, servers, and external storage devices like NAS (Network Attached Storage) solutions.

Comprehensive Guide to Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

WHAT IS A HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device that stores digital information on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. It is a primary component of a computer which is responsible for storing all types of data.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The HDD is crucial in systems as it stores the operating system, applications, files and folders. Essentially, it holds all the data you work with. Without it, no data storage is possible, rendering the computer useless for tasks beyond simple computations.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
HDD uses magnetism to store data on a rotating platter. A read/write head floats above the spinning platter reading and writing data. The faster the platter spins, the faster an HDD can perform.

EXAM TIPS: ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)
Having clear understanding about the working of the HDD, its important functions and types can largely help questioning related to it. Questions may be around its operation, advantages and disadvantages, difference between HDD and SSD etc. When answering, be sure to:
1. Clearly define what a hard drive is.
2. Outline its importance and key functions.
3. Explain how a hard disk drive works, including mentioning magnetism and the role of a read/write head.
4. Describe common issues and solutions related to hard disk drives.
5. Be familiar with comparison between HDD and other storage devices like SSD.
6. Review its history and the evolution to current technology.
By doing this, you position yourself well to answer any question on a hard disk drive.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

Start practice test

Question 1

A user's PC's performance significantly drops after installing a new, larger HDD. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason?

The new HDD is using an outdated SATA connection The new HDD has a larger cache The new HDD has a slower RPM than the old one The new HDD is not compatible with the motherboard

Correct Answer: The new HDD has a slower RPM than the old one

The most likely reason for the significant drop in PC performance after installing a larger HDD is that the new HDD has a slower RPM (revolutions per minute) than the old one. HDDs with higher RPM spin faster, resulting in quicker read and write speeds and overall better performance. If the new HDD has a lower RPM, it will take longer to access and transfer data, leading to slower system performance. The other options, such as a larger cache or an outdated SATA connection, would not typically cause such a significant performance drop. Compatibility issues with the motherboard would likely prevent the HDD from functioning at all, rather than just causing a performance decrease.

Question 2

A technician needs to replace an HDD in a desktop PC. What should the technician do FIRST?

Perform chkdsk Update firmware Backup user data Defragment the HDD

Correct Answer: Backup user data

The first step a technician should take before replacing an HDD in a desktop PC is to backup the user data. This ensures that important files and information are not lost during the replacement process. Defragmenting the HDD, updating firmware, or performing chkdsk are not necessary steps to take before replacing the drive, as they do not protect against data loss during the replacement. Backing up the user data should always be the top priority to prevent loss of important information.

Question 3

A customer reports their computer gets slower over time and eventually becomes unresponsive. After rebooting, the problem temporarily goes away. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Loose RAM module Failing HDD Faulty power supply Outdated BIOS

Correct Answer: Failing HDD

The most likely cause of a computer getting slower over time and becoming unresponsive, with the issue temporarily resolving after a reboot, is a failing hard disk drive (HDD). As an HDD starts to fail, it may develop bad sectors or other issues that cause slowdowns and freezes. Rebooting the computer temporarily resolves the issue because the operating system is reloaded into memory from the HDD. However, as the HDD continues to degrade, the problem will recur more frequently until the drive completely fails. A loose RAM module would typically cause more immediate and consistent issues, a faulty power supply would lead to unexpected shutdowns or failure to boot, and an outdated BIOS would not cause progressive performance degradation and temporary resolution with a reboot.

Go Premium

CompTIA A+ Preparation Package (2024)

More Hard Disk Drive (HDD) questions

12 questions (total)