hard disk configuration

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)