Pro-face hard disk Instruction Manual

1

Instructions for Using

the Hard Disk

Thank you for supporting Pro-face products.
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

3

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.

4

Vibration / Impact

Of all the panel computer components, the
hard disk is most vulnerable to vibration and
impact. Most hard disk problems are caused
by vibration or impact.

Generally , the vibration resistance and impact
resistance guaranteed by the hard disk
manufacturer is “4.9 m/s

2

” and “147 m/s2”
respectively. (For exact values, refer to the
manual for each product.)

Since the head of the hard disk is always
moving at a distance of approximately 0.01 to

0.02 µm from the disk surface, it must be
handled carefully.

Particularly when the hard disk is in
operation, the head moves above the data
area being used. Therefore, if an impact is
applied to the hard disk, the disk surface may
be damaged.

The panel computer cannot be used in a
system that may vibrate during operation.
Never attempt to move the system with the
panel computer power supply turned ON.

(1) Keep any system or control panel that

includes this product free from vibration.

(2) If a system or control panel that includes

this product is transported, vibration or
impact may be applied to the product
during transport, causing a failure or
problems in the product.

• Pack the product in a dedicated con­tainer and transport it separately.

• Before mounting the product in a sys­tem, first install the system.

(3) If the product is mounted in a movable

table or system, vibration or impact is
applied to the product when it is moved,
causing a failure or problems in the
product.

• Never attempt to move the system
when the product is in operation.

• When moving the system during a
stoppage, specifically when crossing a

cable on the floor or a groove, be care­ful not to apply impact or vibration.

5

Temperature / Humidity

Generally, as the operating temperature
increases, the life span of electrical
components, as well as that of the hard disk,
will be shortened. If the hard disk is installed
in a limited space in a control panel, take
precautionary measures to prevent a
temperature rise. To install the hard disk in an
enclosed control panel that gathers heat,
provide a fan for the control panel.

A rapid temperature change causes
condensation in the hard disk. Be-cause of
the condensation, the head sticks to the disk,
which may result in a disk rotation failure.
For example, if the hard disk is moved into a
warm room immediately after transportation,
or if the hard disk operation is stopped in a
cold site, the temperature in the hard disk
rapidly changes, causing condensation.

Furthermore, a rapid change in temperature
or atmospheric pressure causes the lubricant
to be vaporized and adhere to the head. Also,
a similar phenomenon may occur in the case
where the hard disk is left unused for a long
period. Never attempt to blow air with
excessive force directly into the air hole of
the hard disk. Such an action rapidly changes
the internal pressure and easily causes the
above phenomenon.

For Protection of the Hard

Disk

(1) Scan disk or error check recommendati on

Periodically executing the scan disk or
error check processing can minimize data
damage attributable to an application.

(2) Shut down recommendation

To turn off the Windows

®

system power
supply, execute the shut down procedure.
If you turn off the power switch directly,
data may be lost and Windows

®

may not

restart properly.

(3) Data backup recommendation

As the minimum preparation for using
the system safely, have a spare hard disk
with the same software.
You may notice an indicator of a
problem before the problem actually
occurs with the system. For example,
abnormal motor sound, slow response to
touch operation, and extremely slow
processing of the system are warning
signs. In such cases, it is best to make a
backup before turning off the power
supply. Once the power supply is turned
off, the system may not restart properly.

(4) Periodic replacement recommendation

Since the hard disk is a consumable
component, it must be replaced
periodically. To prevent sporadic system
problems, it is recommended that the
hard disk be checked periodically.

6

Countermeasures Against

Hard Disk Problems

To ensure safe use of the product, Pro-face
has taken the following measures to cope
with possible problems.

(1) Hard disk drive unit provides shock-

absorbing structure.
To minimize influence of impact, the
hard disk drive unit is protected with
shock-absorbing rubber.

(2) Recommendation of Windows

®

XP
Embedded OS
Windows

®

XP Embedded OS pre­installed CF cards are commercialized
for more environmentally-enhancing
system.

(3) Soft mirror (Option)

The optional soft mirror function can
duplicate system data to prevent data
loss.

(4) Cartridge type (Specified models only)

Availability of cartridge type hard disks
allows you to exchange the hard disk
drive unit easily, if a problem occurs.

(5) Hot-swap function in hard disk drive

units
When the hot-swap function is used with
the soft mirror function, hard disks with
problems can be exchanged while the
system is in operation.

Hard Disk Inst al latio n /

Replacement

To prevent damage and injury, take the
following precautions when installing or
replacing hard disks.

(1) Do not install or replace hard disk drive

units while power is supplied to the sys­tem. (Hard disk drive units can be
installed or replaced when the soft mirror
function is used with the hot-swap func­tion.)

(2) Since hard disks are vulnerable to

vibration or impact, they must be
handled carefully.

(3) Hard disks are electronic components. In

installation or replacement of hard disks,
take a countermeasure against static
electricity. (e.g. Wearing an earth-band
or a ground strap)

(4) Do not touch the metal cover on the disk

surface. Touching it may cause a failure.

7

Digital Electronics Corporation
8-2-52 Nanko-higashi

Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-0031
JAPAN
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
http://www.pro-face.com/

"Windows is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and other countries."

© Copyright 2007 Digital Electronics
Corporation. All rights reserved.

Inquiry

Do you have any questions about
difficulties with this product?
Please access our site anytime that
you need help with a solution.

http://www.pro-face.com/otasuke/

Please be aware that Digital Electronics
Corporation shall not be held liable by the
user for any damages, losses, or third
party claims arising from the uses of this
product.

Note