How to use HDD: A complete guide from basic operations to advanced techniques
Hard disk drive (HDD), as a traditional data storage device, is still widely used in personal computers, servers and external storage. This article will introduce in detail how to use HDD, including basic installation, partition formatting, maintenance and optimization, etc. The entire process is also accompanied by a comparative analysis of recent hot storage technology topics.
1. HDD basic installation steps
Whether it is a desktop or external use, correctly installing the HDD is the first step:
| steps | Operating Instructions | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Physical installation | Use screws to fix the hard drive in the chassis, connect the SATA data cable to the motherboard, and connect the power cable to the power supply. | Avoid vibration and make sure the connector is fully inserted |
| 2. BIOS identification | Boot into the BIOS to check whether the new hard drive is detected | Some old motherboards need to enable AHCI mode |
| 3. System initialization | Windows initializes the disk through the disk management tool | MBR is suitable for less than 2TB, and GPT supports larger capacities. |
2. Partitioning and Formatting Guide
The new hard drive needs to be partitioned to store data, and the operations are slightly different for different systems:
| system | Tools | Recommended format |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Disk Management/diskmgmt.msc | NTFS (system disk), exFAT (shared disk) |
| macOS | Disk Utility | APFS (dedicated to SSD), HFS+ (compatible with old systems) |
| Linux | GParted/fdisk | ext4 (primary partition), XFS (large file processing) |
3. Performance optimization and maintenance
Proper settings can extend HDD life and improve performance:
| Optimization items | How to operate | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Defragmentation | Windows built-in tools are organized once a month | Improve random reading speed by 15-30% |
| Cache settings | Device Manager → Disk Properties Enable Write Cache | Improve small file transfer efficiency |
| SMART monitoring | Tools such as CrystalDiskInfo check regularly | Early warning of hardware failure |
4. Comparison of recent storage technology hot spots (hot topics in the past 10 days)
Although HDD is still the mainstream, emerging storage technologies have triggered widespread discussions:
| Technology | focus | Compared with HDD |
|---|---|---|
| QLC SSD | Prices continue to fall, with 1TB now less than 300 yuan | 5 times faster than HDD, but has shorter lifespan |
| HAMR technology | Seagate's new generation of 30TB enterprise-class hard drives is in mass production | Single disk capacity increased by 50%, power consumption increased |
| cloud storage | Alibaba Cloud launches "hot and cold tiered" storage solution | Long-term archiving is cheaper but relies on the network |
5. Frequently Asked Questions about HDD Use
Solutions to users’ frequently asked questions:
| Problem phenomenon | Possible reasons | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Hard drive not recognized | Insufficient power supply/loose interface/driver problem | Check the connection cable and update the motherboard driver |
| unusual noise | Head failure/bearing damage | Back up your data and replace your hard drive now |
| sudden decrease in speed | Bad sectors/cache failure | Run chkdsk scan to repair |
Conclusion:
In an era when SSDs are popular, HDDs are still the first choice for data warehouses due to their cost advantages per GB and reliable large-capacity storage. Proper use and maintenance of HDD can make it work stably for 3-5 years. For ordinary users, it is recommended to install the system on SSD and use HDD to store large files; enterprise users can consider large-capacity enterprise-class hard drives with the latest HAMR technology.
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