The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is the main storage device for your PC; it is the mechanism that writes and reads data on the hard disk. The HDD components consist of one or more drive platters sealed within a casing. These drives connect to the motherboard of the computer through the use of internal data transfer and power cables.
The components within the drive include:
- Head Actuator: controls the actuator arm.
- Read/Write Actuator Arm: is similar to the arm of a record player; as the platter is spinning the arm locates and accesses the data needed so it can be read, written (edited), and deleted.
- Read/Write Head: this is the device at the end of the actuator arm and is used to write or read the data on the platter.