hard disk configuration
Following are the parameters stored in a PC's BIOS setup memory that describe the configuration of the hard disks in the system. SCSI hard disks are usually not identified in the setup memory.
TYPE There are 46 hard disk types, numbered 1
to 46, that include all the required
parameters below. Since they cover
earlier drives that only go up to 152MB,
the user-configurable Type 47 is usually
chosen and the remaining parameters are
entered manually or are automatically
detected (all new drives are detected).
CYLINDERS Number of cylinders.
HEADS Number of read/write heads.
WPCOM Write precompensation track.
LANDING ZONE Cylinder used for parking heads.
SECTORS Number of sectors per track.
CAPACITY Total capacity derived from above parameters:
(heads X cylinders X sectors X 512)
Updated on Friday, July 6, 2007
