Maxtor Corporation has been providing high-quality computer storage products since
1982. Along the way, we’ve seen many changes in data storage needs. Not long ago,
only a handful of specific users needed more than a couple hundred megabytes of
storage. Today, downloading from the Internet and CD-ROMs, multimedia,
networking and advanced office applications are driving storage needs even higher.
Even home PC applications need capacities measured in gigabytes, not megabytes.
Support
Maxtor provides a variety of customer support options, all designed to make sure the
user gets fast, helpful, accurate information to help resolve any difficulties. These
options include a broad searchable knowledge base of FAQ’s, product manuals,
installation guides, information on previously resolved problems, software downloads,
and contact by phone or E-mail with a support person. For more information, visit
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
www.maxtor.com/en/support
1.2Manual Organization
This hard disk drive reference manual is organized in the following method:
Chapter 1–Introduction
Chapter 2–Product Description
Chapter 3–Product Specifications
Chapter 4–Handling and Installation
Chapter 5–ATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands
Chapter 6–Service and Support
Glossary
Index
Maxtor Fireball31-1
Introduction
1.3Abbreviations
AbbreviationDescriptionAbbreviationDescription
ATAAT attachmentMBmegabyte
bpibits per inchMbits/secmegabits per second
CHScylinder - head - sectorMB/secmegabytes per second
DADouble Amplitude (repre-
sents pk-pk shaker displacement)
dbdecibelsMHzmegahertz
dBAdecibels, A weightedmsmillisecond
DMAdirect memory accessMSBmost significant bit
ECCerror correction codemVmillivolts
fciflux changes per inchnsnanoseconds
GaccelerationPIOprogrammed input/output
GBgigabyteRPMrevolutions per minute
Hzhertztpitracks per inch
KBkilobyteUDMAultra direct memory
access
LBAlogical block address(ing)µsecmicrosecond
LSBleast significant bitVvolts
mAmilliamperesWwatts
1.4Conventions
If there is a conflict between text and tables, the table shall be accepted as being
correct.
Key Words
The names of abbreviations, commands, fields and acronyms used as signal names are
in all uppercase type (e.g., IDENTIFY DRIVE). Fields containing only one bit are
usually referred to as the “name” bit instead of the “name” field.
Names of drive registers begin with a capital letter (e.g., Cylinder High register).
Numbering
Numbers that are not followed by a lowercase “b” or “h” are decimal values.
Numbers that are followed by a lowercase “b” (e.g., 01b) are binary values. Numbers
that are followed by a lowercase “h” (e.g., 3Ah) are hexadecimal values.
1-2Maxtor Fireball3
Signal Conventions
Signal names are shown in all uppercase type.
All signals are either high active or low active signals. A dash character (-) at the end
of a signal name indicates that the signal is low active. A low active signal is true when
it is below ViL and is false when it is above ViH. A signal without a dash at the end
indicates that the signal is high active. A high active signal is true when it is above ViH
and is false when it is below ViL.
When a signal is asserted, it means the signal is driven by an active circuit to its true
state.
When a signal is negated, it means the signal is driven by an active circuit to its false
state.
When a signal is released, it means the signal is not actively driven to any state. Some
signals have bias circuitry that pull the signal to either a true or false state when no
signal driver is actively asserting or negating the signal. These instances are noted
under the description of the signal.
Introduction
Maxtor Fireball31-3
2.1Product Description
The Fireball 3 is the industries first 40Gb single-head/single platter hard drive with
an Ultra ATA/133 interface. Combining value and performance, this is an excellent
choice for entry-level desktop systems and consumer electronic applications.
The Maxtor Fireball 3 drive is the latest in the family of Maxtor single platter
5400RPM drives designed for higher reliability. The drive’s inner diameter load/
unload ramp locks the recording head into a protective carrier to cradle the head
during shipment and any other time the drive is not in operation.
The Fireball 3 take reliability and data integrity to a new level with Maxtor Shock
Protection System (SPS) and Data Protection System (DPS). SPS and DPS give the
user enhanced protection against both operation and non-operating shock and
verify essential functions in seconds to minimize costly drive returns.
Chapter 2
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Industry leading design, optimized to meet the needs of the entry level and value
applications:
• Supports popular entry level and value capacity - 40GB
• ATA/133 the fastest and latest IDE interface
• FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) motor for quiet operation
• Low height to improve airflow and cooling
• Low weight to reduce shipping costs
• Improved reliability with:
~ Shock Protection System
~ Data Protection System
2.2Key Features
• ANSI ATA-5/6 compliant PIO Mode 4 interface (Enhanced IDE)
• Supports ATA-6 UltraDMA Mode 5 (100 MBytes/sec) and Maxtor
Ultra ATA/133 MBytes/second data transfer rates
• 2 MB buffer with multi-adaptive cache manager
Maxtor Fireball32-1
Product Description
• 5400 RPM spin speed
• 12.0 ms seek time
• Zone density and ID-less recording
• Outstanding shock resistance at 300 Gs
• High durability with 100,000 cycles for reliable load/unload function
• Extended data integrity with ECC protected data and fault tolerant servo
synchronization fields
• Supports EPA Energy Star Standards (Green PC Friendly) with ATA
powering savings commands
• Auto park and lock actuator mechanism
• Low power consumption
• SMART Capability
Note:Maxtor defines 1 Gigabyte (GB) as 10
9
or 1,000,000,000 bytes of data.
Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.
2.3Product Features
Functional/Interface
Maxtor hard drives contain all necessary mechanical and electronic parts to interpret
control signals and commands from an AT-compatible host computer. See Chapter 3
Product Specifications, for complete drive specifications.
Zone Density Recording
The disk capacity is increased with bit density management – common with Zone
Density Recording. Each disk surface is divided into 16 circumferential zones. All
tracks within a given zone contain a constant number of data sectors. The number
of data sectors per track varies in different zones; the outermost zone contains the
largest number of data sectors and the innermost contains the fewest.
Read/Write Multiple Mode
This mode is implemented per ANSI ATA/ATAPI-6 specification. Read/Write
Multiple allows the host to transfer a set number of sectors without an interrupt
request between them, reducing transfer process overhead and improving host
performance.
UltraDMA-Mode 5
Maxtor hard drives fully comply with the new ANSI Ultra DMA protocol, which
greatly improves overall AT interface performance by significantly improving burst
and sustained data throughput.
Multi-word DMA-Mode 2
Supports multi-word Direct Memory Access (DMA) mode transfers.
2-2Maxtor Fireball3
Product Description
Sector Address Translation
All Maxtor hard drives feature a universal translate mode. In an AT/EISA-class
system, the drive may be configured to any specified combination of cylinders,
heads and sectors (within the range of the drive's formatted capacity). Maxtor hard
drives power-up in a translate mode:
MODELSCYLHDSPTMAX LBACAPACITY
2F020J0/L040,395166340,718,16020GB
2F030J0/L059,582166360,058,65630GB
2F040J0/L079,656166380,293,24840GB
Logical Block Addressing
The Logical Block Address (LBA) mode can only be utilized in systems that support
this form of translation. The cylinder, head and sector geometry of the drive, as
presented to the host, differs from the actual physical geometry. The host AT
computer may access a drive of set parameters: number of cylinders, heads and
sectors per track, plus cylinder, head and sector addresses. However, the drive can’t
use these host parameters directly because of zoned recording techniques. The drive
translates the host parameters to a set of logical internal addresses for data access.
The host drive geometry parameters are mapped into an LBA based on this formula:
LBA= (HSCA - 1) + HHDA x HSPT + HNHD x HSPT x HCYA
= (HSCA - 1) + HSPT x (HHDA + HNHD x HCYA)
whereHSCA = Host Sector Address, HHDA = Host Head Address
HCYA = Host Cylinder Address, HNHD = Host Number of Heads
HSPT = Host Sectors per Track
The LBA is checked for violating the drive capacity. If it does not, the LBA is
converted to physical drive cylinder, head and sector values. The physical address is
then used to access or store the data on the disk and for other drive related
operations.
Defect Management Zone (DMZ)
Each drive model has a fixed number of spare sectors per drive, all of which are
located at the end of the drive. Upon detection of a bad sector that has been
reassigned, the next sequential sector is used.
For example, if sector 3 is flagged, data that would have been stored there is “pushed
down” and recorded in sector 4. Sector 4 then effectively becomes sector 3, as
sequential sectors are “pushed down” across the entire drive. The first spare sector
makes up for the loss of sector 3, and so maintains the sequential order of data. This
push down method assures maximum performance.
On-the-Fly Hardware Error Correction Code (ECC)
>24 symbols, single burst, guaranteed
Maxtor Fireball32-3
Product Description
Software ECC Correction
24 symbols, single burst, guaranteed
2.4Cache Management
Buffer Segmentation
The data buffer is organized into two segments: the data buffer and the micro
controller scratch pad. The data buffer is dynamically allocated for read and write
data depending on the commands received. A variable number of read and write
buffers may exist at the same time.
Read-Ahead Mode
Normally, this mode is active. Following a read request, disk read-ahead begins on
the first sector and continues sequentially until the allocated buffer is full. If a read
request is received during the read-ahead operation, the buffer is examined to
determine if the request is in the cache. If a cache hit occurs, read-ahead mode
continues without interruption and the host transfer begins immediately.
Automatic Write Reallocation (AWR)
This feature is part of the write cache and reduces the risk of data loss during
deferred write operations. If a disk error occurs during the disk write process, the
disk task stops and the suspect sector is reallocated to a pool of alternate sectors
located at the end of the drive. Following reallocation, the disk write task continues
until it is complete.
Write Cache Stacking
Normally, this mode is active. Write cache mode accepts the host write data into
the buffer until the buffer is full or the host transfer is complete. A command
complete interrupt is generated at the end of the transfer.
A disk write task begins to store the host data to disk. Host write commands
continue to be accepted and data transferred to the buffer until either the write
command stack is full or the data buffer is full. The drive may reorder write
commands to optimize drive throughput.
2.5Major HDA Components
Drive Mechanism
A brushless DC direct drive motor rotates the spindle at 5400 RPM (±0.1%). The
dynamically balanced motor/spindle assembly ensures minimal mechanical run-out
to the disks. A dynamic brake provides a fast stop to the spindle motor upon power
removal. The speed tolerance includes motor performance and motor circuit
tolerances.
Rotary Actuator
All Maxtor hard drives employ a rotary voice coil actuator which consists of a
moving coil, an actuator arm assembly and stationary magnets. The actuator moves
on a low-mass, low-friction center shaft. The low friction contributes to fast access
times and low power consumption.
2-4Maxtor Fireball3
Product Description
Read/Write Electronics
An integrated circuit mounted within the sealed head disk assembly (near the read/
write heads) provides up to eight head selection depending on the model. It also
provides read pre-amplification and write drive circuitry.
Read/Write Heads and Media
Low mass, low force giant magneto-resistive read/write heads record data on 3.5inch diameter disks. Maxtor uses a sputtered thin film medium on all disks for
Maxtor hard drives.
Air Filtration System
All Maxtor hard drives are assembled in a Class 100 controlled environment. Over
the life of the drive, a 0.1 micron filter and breather filter located within the sealed
head disk assembly (HDA) maintain a clean environment to the heads and disks.
Maxtor drives are designed to operate in a typical office environment with
minimum environmental control.
Microprocessor
The microprocessor controls the following functions for the drive electronics:
• Command execution
• Cache management
• Data correction and error recovery
• Diagnostic execution
• Data sequencing
• Head positioning (including error recovery)
• Host interface
• Index detection
• Spin speed control
• Seeks
•Servo
•SMART
2.6Subsystem Configuration
Dual Drive Support
Two drives may be accessed via a common interface cable, using the same range of
I/O addresses. The drives have a jumper configuration as device 0 or 1 (Master/
Slave), and are selected by the drive select bit in the Device/Head register of the
task file.
All Task File registers are written in parallel to both drives. The interface processor
on each drive decides whether a command written to it should be executed; this
Maxtor Fireball32-5
Product Description
Cable Select Option
depends on the type of command and which drive is selected. Only the drive
selected executes the command and activates the data bus in response to host I/O
reads; the drive not selected remains inactive.
A master/slave relationship exists between the two drives: device 0 is the master and
device 1 the slave. When the Master is closed (factory default, figure 2-1), the drive
assumes the role of master; when open, the drive acts as a slave. In single drive
configurations, the Master jumper must be closed.
CSEL (cable select) is an optional feature per ANSI ATA specification. Drives
configured in a multiple drive system are identified by CSEL’s value:
– If CSEL is grounded, then the drive address is 0.
– If CSEL is open, then the drive address is 1.
2-6Maxtor Fireball3
Figure 2-1 PCBA Jumper Location and Configuration
Product Description
JUMPER CONFIGURATION
Master/Slave
Only drive in single drive system*
Master drive in dual drive system*
Slave drive in dual drive system
Cable Select
Disabled*
Enabled
Cylinder Limitation
Disabled*
Enabled
Factory ReservedOO
Key * = Default C = Closed (jumper installed) O = Open (no jumper installed)
2.7Cylinder Limitation Jumper Description
On some older BIOS', primarily those that auto-configure the disk drive, a hang
may occur. The Cylinder Limitation jumper reduces the capacity in the Identify
Drive allowing large capacity drives to work with older BIOS. The capacity
reported when J45:J46 is closed will be as follows: drives less than or equal to 32GB
will report 2.1GB.
J49
J50
C
C
O
J47
J48
O
C
J45
J46
O
C
J43
J44
J41
J42
Maxtor Fireball32-7
Chapter 3
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
3.1Models and Capacities
MODELS2F020J0/L02F030J0/L02F040J0/L0
Formatted Capacity (GB LBA Mode)20GB30GB40GB
GB means 1 billion bytes.
Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.
3.2Drive Configuration
MODELS20GB30GB40GB
Data Surfaces/Number of Heads111
Number of Disks111
Sectors per Drive (max LBA)40,720,11260,061,90480,295,529