Glossary of Samsung Hard Disk Drive (Letter S)

Samsung Hard Disk Drive Glossary SCSI
Small Computer System Interface, device interconnection standard allowing daisy chaining of devices. There are various standards of SCSI: SCSI, SCSI-2, SCSI-3 and SCSI-4

Sector
Smallest grouping of data that can be assigned to store data on the media of an Hard Disk Drive, comprises of 512 bytes (section of a track)

Seek (time)
The movement of a head in search of the right data track

Sequential Access
The reading or writing of data in a sequential order as opposed to random access

Servo data / pattern
Magnetic markings that indicate the position of a head relative to a track (guide for head)

Servo system
a recorded segment of the CD that may contain one or more tracks of any type (data/audio)

Settle Time
The time lapse between arrival of the head at a specific track, and the head to stop fibrating so that a reliable read/write can take place

SFF
Small form factor, a committee consisting of suppliers of IDE hard disk drives, formed to agree technical specifications such as E-IDE

Shock rating
Measurement (Gs) indicating how much shock a disk drive before damage could occur

S.M.A.R.T
Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology, an automatic process which provides an advanced warning of device degradation and/or faults, to help prevent loss of data. Early warning system

Spindle Motor
Motor that rotates the platters

Soft Error
A data error which can be corrected by attempting to re-read the data

SSA
Serial Storage Architecture, an new type of interface, using copper or fibre optic connections. Data travels serially (one bit at the time)

Stepper Motor
predecessor of Rotary Voice Coil Motor, component that controls head movement

Storage Density
recording density (see BPI, TPI, Areal Density)

Substrate
The material underneath the magnetic coating of a disk

Surface
each side of a disk has a surface that is coated with the magnetic material for data storage

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SQL & SQL Database File Recovery

Microsoft® SQL server is a business enterprise software package that manages data through a client/server relational database. There are four fundamental aspects to a SQL (Structured Query Language) server.

1. Database File
2. Relational Database Concept
3. Client/Server System
4. Database Management System (DBMS)

The Database File refers to the physical file that contains the data the SQL server manages. This file is more than just a container for data. SQL files, or .MDF files, are highly organized and complex. The file is designed like this so that SQL server can handle multiple data transactions at once.

The Relational Database Concept is the method employed to organize the data; this is separate from the internal organization of the file itself. Relational Database Concept systems use mathematical set theory to organize the data in the most effective way. Data organization is critical to maintaining the speed of the database server.

The Client/Server System refers to the part of SQL server that communicates with the operating system. This part of the system needs to manage the server’s resources, connections and managing multiple databases at the same time.

The Database Management System interacts and works will all the above items. Not only does this manage the internal structure of the .MDF file, DBMS also controls the Relational Database side of things and organizes the data. The DBMS of SQL server is the heart of the system.

Data loss situations-What can happen?
Data loss situations can occur at a number of different levels. The first level of data loss starts with the storage device. This can be a single hard disk or a SAN or RAID storage array. The second level of data loss can start at a file system level. The file system is a unique method of storing and organizing system and user files. The operating system controls the file system. If the information about where data files are on the volume are damaged or lost, then adjustments or repairs need to be completed at a file system level. Once the file system is repaired then the file’s data stream can be accessed correctly. Most operating systems have a utility that will automatically fix the file system. These utilities work to make the volume accessible. However, this can permanently damage the data stream of the file. The third level of data loss can occur within the file itself. As previously mentioned, .MDF files are quite complex. The internal structure can be corrupted to the point where the DBMS will not make the database available.

The solution to data disasters
The process of a SQL recovery begins with finding the database file requested. If the database file is inaccessible due to problems with the storage device, then should work to get that data extracted. If the file is missing, deleted or truncated due to problems with the file system, then should work to adjust or repair the file system to correctly point to the data stream of the file. And finally if the file system has no pointers at all to the file, then should search the entire drive looking for SQL data.

The next stage is to work on the database file itself. This is where the SQL toolset comes. These tools analyze the complex internal structures of the .MDF file and provide reports as to what tables are recoverable. The reports also list the number of data rows that will come back.

Once the evaluation is complete and authorization is given to recover the data, the SQL toolset will copy the data into another SQL server database. After this phase is complete, we can backup or archive the recovered data.

Remote Data Recovery is the fastest solution for SQL recoveries. The Remote Data Recovery process will copy the recovered data into a SQL server that is setup on you or your client’s site. They only need SQL server running. For best results I recommend that the storage device we are working on be connected to a SQL server, because all of the data transactions will be occurring on a single machine.

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Online Backup for Small Business

You’ve heard it thousands of times — backup your data. A good data backup strategy is to have two copies of your data – one local (it resides in your office or place of business) and one offsite (you pay an online data company to store it remotely on their secure servers).

Online backup is now a must have for all computer users, as we now live in a digital age where our whole digital life is store online.  Our files, photos, music, video, financials and more are all stored on our computer hard drives. But what happens if your hard drives crash? All hard drives will fail eventually and they usually happen at random when you least expect them. We no longer have CD collections, or DVD racks with our films, or photo albums of our photos, they are all stored on our hard drives. Theft, Fire, Accidental deletion, hardware failure, all these can contribute to lost files. Files which are no longer just binary text, these files are irreplaceable memories which money cannot buy back.

OnlineBackupforSmallBusiness

Online Backup for Small Business

Tips For Buying Online Backup Services:
Below are some of the main factors to consider when selecting an online data backup providers:

1. The Kind of Backup User You Are:

A service designed for home users or small businesses is quite different than one designed for the enterprise. The latter requires complex features such as ability to backup operating system files, live database, historical backup, and extremely tight encryption, while the former would be happy with a relatively low priced service that provides common features such as scheduled backup, web access, ability to send files by CD/DVD, and share files with others.

2. In general, online backup users should ask the following questions:

  • Does the service offer historical backup?
  • Can the software recover from an interrupted backup process?
  • Is there an option for a live and continuous backup? (As opposed to a scheduled backup)
  • Does the software allow network backups?
  • How about database and operating system backup? (Including registry files)
  • Can I get copies of my data on a CD-ROM for an emergency data restoration?
  • Can I edit or delete stored files?
  • Can I select a whole folder without having to select each individual file to backup?
  • Does the software allow multiple file sets to be scheduled on different times?
  • Can I include / exclude filters to include / exclude certain file types?
  • How long will my data be kept in the provider’s servers?
  • Will my data be duplicated to at least two geographically different locations?
  • Where is the data center of this company?
  • How many different versions of my data will be kept?
  • Will this company be around, say, 3 years from now?
  • Is this company an original provider or is it a re-seller?
  • What is the speed of uploading and restoring files? If this is important to me, shall I consider paying more for a fast service?
  • Does this provider support my computer systems (E.g. Mac, Linux, etc.)?

3. Security

To ensure that your data is secure while it is being transferred from your computer to the provider’s data center, most providers offer the option of encryption and password protection. In this way, only someone with your password can access your data.

In most cases a 128-bit encryption is sufficient. For some businesses that want absolute privacy, security might require a much stronger encryption. Although not very common, some providers offer a 448-bit encryption. In addition, data has to remain secure once it reaches the destination server, which means providers have to have proper policies to ensure employees do not access client data for non-authorized reasons. Most providers take the issue of security very seriously, as it is one of the reasons why computer users are hesitant to backup online.

4. Speed, Reliability and Uptime

As backups are usually a last resort way of recovering data after a disaster or system failure, backup providers don’t have much of a margin of error. The data has to be there when needed. No amount of explanation on why the data is not available will calm a user that just lost an entire computer hard drive and is trying to restore from a backup.

To ensure the provider has taken sufficient steps to keep service reliable, you should ask the following questions:

Does the backup provider have a “backup” copy of all clients’ data somewhere on a secondary data center, away from the primary?
Is the backup center equipped with uninterruptible power supply, backup generator and is it located in a safe and secure location?
What is the uptime for the data center?
How many clicks does it take before the actual backup is started?
How fast is the data center?
How much CPU or disk resources does it chew up when the backup is running?
Where is the geographic location of the data center?
Is the backup continues?
How many years has this Online Backup Service Provider been in business or does the company have solid financial resources?
How fast can files be restored?
Who are the clients of this company?
How many paying customers does the company have?

5. Quality and Accessibility of Technical Support

Does the company have a toll free number?
Is technical support available 24/7?
Does this company reveal its email address in their site or does it force me to fill in a time consuming form?
Is there an emergency user support?
Does the company have a physical address listed in their site?
What is the turn around time for email queries?
Does the company have an international presence?
Does the company publish a customer support satisfaction survey stats?
What is the wait time for phone support?

6. Cost

How much does this Online Backup Service Provider charge per GB per month?
Is there a set-up fee?
Is the cost per account or per PC?
How often and how much data are allowed for backup per day or per month?
Is there a no obligation free trial period before I sign up?
Can I cancel at any time or am I tied in for a minimum period?
What is the cost for exceeding the allowable traffic and storage quota?
Is there extra cost for telephone technical support?

7. Some these Online Backup Service Providers:

mypcbackup.com
justcloud.com
backupgenie.com
sosonlinebackup.com
zipcloud.com
sugarsync.com
mozy.com
box.com
crashplan.com
carbonite.com

Online Backup is like insurance, for a small monthly fee (Less than the cost of a Cinema Ticket) you will never have to worry about your files again. If you get a new computer and you need to restore your files and documents its literally a click of a button.

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Samsung Hard Drive PCB Boards Buying Guide

As we know:  Samsung HDD can’t spin; board/chip be burnt; interface broken; etc. These problems are caused by PCB malfunction. Swap PCB of your Samsung hard drives can resolve the problems.

1. Samsung Hard Drives PCB Buying Guide:

For Samsung HDD, just need the donor PCB has the same board number as yours.

samsung-hard-drive-pcb-swap

Samsung HDD PCB Swap

2. Before PCB Swap you should know:

1. Most PCB’s BIOS chip(ROM Chip) store the unique information. We need change the BIOS form original PCB to replacement PCB, in order to make the replacement PCB compatible with the HDD.  The 8pins (4 pins on each sides) with 25P05VP、25P10VP、25F512、25F1024、25F1024AN、SST25VF512、SST25VF010, etc. are the BIOS Chip.

Tips: Most of the TV/Phone Repair Shop can offer these services for just $5-%20

hard-drive-pcb-swap-change-chip

Hard Drive PCB Swap: Change BIOS Chip, Main Chip

2. Some PCB don’t have separate BIOS. The BIOS be integrated on the Main Controller IC(The biggest chip on the board, also named Main Chip). We should exchange the Main Controller IC to let the HDD be recognized.

3. Where to buy Samsung PCB Circuit Boards?

SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00263A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00206B
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00163A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00204B
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00068A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00109A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00051A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00303A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00085A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00205B
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00314A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00284A
SAMSUNG PCB SP0812C BF41-00069A
SAMSUNG PCB HD080HJ BF41-00095A
SAMSUNG PCB SV0411N BF41-00080A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00108A
SAMSUNG PCB SP1203N BF41-00112A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00133A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00086A
SAMSUNG PCB SP0822N BF41-00067A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00067B
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00093A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00087A
SAMSUNG PCB BF41-00082A

Note: Samsung PCB sells on HDDZone.com are fully tested before shipment(worldwide free shipping now!); These are just PCB (Printed Circuit Boards), not the whole HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

More other pcb swap guide please refer to this post: hard Drive PCB Swap

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Possible Hard Drive Disappeared Failure

Hard-Drive-Disappeared-Failure Q: So I just completed a clean install of Windows 7 and I was installing some software that was originally on my primary HDD to my secondary HDD ,and the installation was taking so much longer than usual, The progress bar was almost full then it slowed down, then completely stopped, so I just gave it some more time. I opened my browser (Opera) to go on youtube and pass the time but my speed dial was gone! and the “Speed Dial File” is located on my secondary HDD, so I thought to myself that either the file is corrupt or something happened to the hard drive. I checked “Computer” and sure enough its gone! Its gone on both Computer and Disk Management, but for some reason is detected by BIOS. its the “Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM ST3000DM001” This happened after only after 1 month of use. I have over 1.5 TB of data on that hard drive, and I pretty much install everything on that drive, I have a back up but my data is constantly changing, I wanted a RAID setup but I really dont have the money for that.

Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001 ($146 on Amazon.com)

Is there anything at all I can do? Is my data 100% lost? An help would be appreciated.

Specs:
ASUS M4A88T-M Motherboard
Seagate Barracuda 7200 320 GB
Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM ST3000DM001
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz
Rosewill Stallion Series RD500-2DB 500W ATX12V Power Supply
SAPPHIRE Radeon 6950 OC Edition
Kingston ValueRAM 4GB 1333MHz
Windows 7 Ultimate X64

so I just rebooted my PC and the hard drive is back! Works just as good but what if it happens again? is this a sign of failure?

A: I would suggest you to change the sata cable and the power one from the psu see if that fix the issue adding this check if there is a new bios for those big drive on asus

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