1
Instructions for Using
the Hard Disk
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Every hard disk has an estimated life span.
Continuous operation of the hard disk for 24
hours or repeated access to the hard disk in a
short period of time may result in a higher
incidence of problems or unstable operation.
To ensure stable operation for a longer
period, observe the instructions described in
this document.
Since the hard disk is comprised of precision
mechanical parts, it is the most fragile
component in this product. Use extreme
caution regarding the handling method and
operating environment.
Life Span
The hard disk is comprised internally of
precision mechanical parts and uses weak
electrical signals to record data.
Since the expected life span of the hard disk
varies considerably depending on the
handling method (impact and static
electricity) and operating conditions
(temperature, humidity, vibration and
operation time), it is regarded as a
consumable component.
The incidence of problems may increase
depending on the operating conditions, even
within the maintenance period. To maintain
the stability of the hard disk for a longer
period, refer to the following basic
specifications.
The hard disk life span is estimated to be
whichever is reached fir st of the following
three periods. (The expected life span may be
shorter than the following periods depending
on the operating conditions.)
(1) 5 years
(2) Power-On Hours:
20,000 or 30,000 hours, depending on
the hard disk. Please refer to the hard
disk's installation guide for details.
(3) Head loading/unloading frequency:
600,000 times (Number of reciprocating
motions)
• Loading
This operation moves the head from the
return position onto the disk.
• Unloading
This operation returns the head from
the disk to the return position. If the
hard disk is not accessed for 15 seconds, the head will automatically return
to the return position to protect the
disk.
[Reference example]
When the hard disk power-ON duration
is 11 hours/day and the disk is accessed
2
every two minutes, the loading/unloading
frequency is approximately 120,0 00
times/year. In this case, the expected life
span is approximately 5 years.
Continuous Rotation of Hard
Disk Motor
Continuous operation of the hard disk motor
causes rotation jitter
*1
, which makes data R/
W (read/write) processing unstable.
Continuing in such a condition disables R/W
processing, which may result in system
shutdown.
To avoid this problem, make the settings for
the power-saving function of Windows
®
so
that the hard disk motor can stop for the
specified time.
• The rotation of the hard disk motor can be
stopped by using the power-saving function of Windows
®
when the hard disk is
not accessed for the specified duration of
time. When the hard disk is accessed, the
motor automatically rotates, enabling normal access to the disk. Therefore, this
function does not affect the system operation.
*1 Minute vibration attributable to various factors during rotation
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24-hour Continuou s Opera-
tion / Frequent and Continuous Access to Hard Disk
If the hard disk is operated continuously for
24 hours, or frequently and continuously
accessed, pay attention to the following
points:
(1) If the same sector on the hard disk is
repeatedly used for R/W processing, the
head will be retained in the same track or
sector on the disk without moving over
the disk, resulting in uneven coating on
the disk surface. This causes a positioning error, disabling the R/W processing.
However, this problem will not occur in
normal Windows
®
-based operation. If
you specify continuous use of a certain
track or sector in DOS, the following
problems may occur.
[Possible problems]
• The hard disk has a fault.
• The system does not start.
• The system hangs up.
• Touch operation is disabled.
• The system restarts.
• Operation speed lowers.
(2) Frequent and continuous access to the
hard disk shortens the hard disk life
span, because the allowable head
loading/unloading frequency is 600,000
times.
Even if the hard disk has not reached the
end of its life span, the hard disk
operation may become unstable due to
its own heat generation. Furthermore,
incidence of rotation jitter increases,
causing head positioning errors. On rare
occasions, the hard disk cannot perform
normal R/W processing.
• If this problem occurs, turn off the hard
disk power supply and then turn it on
again after at least 10 minutes have
elapsed. The hard disk will be restored
to the normal operating condition.
• The above problem will not necessarily
occur with your hard disk. The incidence of the problem varies considerably depending on the operating
conditions. To avoid this problem,
reduce the frequency of accessing or
stop the motor for 10 minutes or longer
during each 24-hour operation period,
so that the hard disk can operate stably
at all times.
Possible problems vary depending on the
application being used. Particularly in
continuous data R/W processing at
intervals of 10 to 20 seconds the
incidence of problems will increase.
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