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Analogue

signals

Signals which come directly from the read/write heads, before digitalization. No analogue signals indicate that data has not been stored on the media, or the data has been removed using a strong magnetic field such as a Degausser.

Areal Density

The number of bits of data that can be recorded onto the surface of a disk or platter usually measured in square inches.

ASCII

American Standard Code of Information Interchange. A 7-bit code standard for representation of characters, numbers, symbols and control characters, for use in data communication and data storage.

AT/ATA

Name of standard interface and protocol for hard drives. See also IDE. Advanced Technology Attachment is generally used as a synonym for EIDE, as is UltraATA.

Backup

The process of creating a copy of programs or files for later retrieval.

Backup copy

A copy of a program or file that is stored separately from the original. If the original files or media are lost, the backup copy may be used for recovery.

BIOS

Basic Input Output System. A chip within the PC that offers basic input and output services to all attached devices.

Bit

An abbreviation for a binary digit. The basic information unit within a computer. A bit can take on one of two values, normally represented by '0' and '1'. See also byte.

Bit density

Expressed as bits per inch (BPI), the number of bits that can be written onto one inch of track on a disk surface.

BOD

Beginning Of Data. Electronic or magnetic sign, a part of the low-level format on tape. BOD signals the start of data.

BOM

Begining Of Media. Electronic or magnetic sign, a part of the low-level format on tape. BOM signals the beginning of media.

Boot

To start or restart your computer; loading the operating system.

Boot Record

A file system table of the FAT and NTFS file systems, containing information about one partition. (Often referred to as Boot sector, Boot block, or Boot Track)

Buffer

Temporary data storage. Example: An area used to make up for a difference in data transfer rates and/or data processing rates between sender and receiver. A printer buffer copies data from the computer and holds it until the printer is ready to print.

Bus

The path that carries data between the computer (microprocessor) and peripheral devices. An IDE interface cable and a SCSI cable are both examples of a bus.

Byte

8-bit information unit, able to hold information of one character/digit magnitude.

Capacity

The amount of information, measured in bytes that can be stored on a hard drive. Also known as storage capacity.

CD

Compact Disk. Optical storage device for storing data and sound. Also see platter.

Clean room

An environmentally controlled, dust-free environment in which hard drives are assembled or opened for internal inspection or servicing.

Cluster

A cluster is defined as an allocation unit. It is a group of sectors. Most file systems group sectors together and handle the group as one unit. The cluster size (number of sectors per cluster) varies with the storage media and is fixed at time of format. At least one cluster is allocated to each file, regardless of the file's size, that is stored in the DOS environment.

Computer crash

Popular expression, applied to almost any computer or hard disk problem. See also disk crash.

Computer Virus

A dangerous computer program with the characteristic feature of being able to generate copies of itself, and thereby spread throughout the computer system. Additionally, most computer viruses have a destructive payload that is activated under certain conditions.

Corrupt copy

Sometimes while transferring data from a damaged disk, the damaged disk releases the expected amount of raw data but in a seemingly random order. Such a copy is worthless. The problem is due to a physically damaged disk, which causes errors in the location/addressing information.

Cylinder

On a disk, all tracks with the same radius are referred to as a cylinder.

Data block

A series of data elements handled as one unit. Typically a data block stored on disk is 512 bytes long (synonymous with sector). On tape the block size is normally greater and varies.

Data compression

Reducing the size of a file or data in general. Several compression techniques are used to save time and space during transfer/communication and storage.

Data Destruction

Removal/destruction of information stored on a storage medium.

Data Recovery

The salvaging of data stored on damaged media, such as magnetic disks and tapes. SalvageData specializes in data recovery service and our engineers can often restore a surprisingly high percentage of the data on damaged media.

Database

A database is an electronic filing collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

Decode

Transforming encoded information into information that is readable to a program or a user.

Defect Management

A general methodology of eliminating data errors on a recording surface by mapping out known defects on the media. The defective areas are rendered inaccessible, so that when information is written to the disk it is stored to non-defective locations on the disk. See G-List and P-List.

Degausser

Equipment employing a strong magnetic field to perform data erasure.

Deleted file

When a file is deleted using the operating system command or Delete-key, it is only the reference to the file that is deleted. The space previously occupied by the file content will be free to use by any new file. It is possible to recover the deleted file until a new file has occupied the space.

Directory

A group of related files are stored under a common name, the directory name. This is similar to how grouped documents are stored between dividers when filed in a ring binder.

Disk

Used synonymously with hard disk.
Can be used for any storage media where the actual media is a circular disc - hard or soft kernel, magnetic or optical technology.
Circular platters. The actual media. See platter.

Disk crash

As a popular expression this term is used for almost any problem with the computer or the hard disk. More correctly it should be used synonymously with head crash.

Drive

Often used synonymously with disk.
For removable media, the term is used about the fixed housing unit. Examples: floppy drive, tape drive.

Driver

(Software) Small, specialized program that typically handles the exchange of information with specific units/equipment like one type of printer (printer driver).

(Hardware) Component, adapter, amplifier. Used for components needing high efficiency, supplying power to motors, etc.

Drop damage

See shock damage.

DVD

Digital Versatile Disk. A data storage media with platters similar to a CD. The storage capacity is much higher than for a CD. DVD is used for storing video, sound, and data.

Encryption

Modifying data, a file for example, to prevent unauthorized access to the information.

EOD

End Of Data. Electronic or magnetic sign, a part of the low-level format on tapes. EOD signals the end of data.

EOM

End Of Media. Electronic or magnetic sign, a part of the low-level format on tapes. EOM signals the physical end of the tape.

FAT

File Allocation Table. A file system table used by the FAT-file systems. It contains information about where on the disk the content of the files are stored.

FAT16

Older version of the FAT file system, based on 16-bit integers, has a limitation with respect to the size of partitions it can handle.

FAT32

Newer version of the FAT file system, based on 32-bit integers. The file system is able to handle partitions of 2 TB size and uses the storage capacity more efficiently than FAT16.

Fdisk

A software utility used to partition a hard drive. This utility is included with DOS and Windows 95 operating systems.

File

Data stored as a named unit on a data storage medium. Examples: a program, document, database.

File system

A system for organizing and cataloguing files on a data storage media, comparable to the index in a book. Examples: FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, HPFS, S51K, ext2, AFS.

Firmware

Permanent instructions and data programmed directly into the circuitry of read-only memory for controlling the operation of the computer.

Floppy disk (FD)

Low capacity storage media with soft kernel/base, hence the name floppy.

Floppy interface

Interface where the floppy drive is connected to the computer. Some tape drives also connect to this interface.

Fly height

Distance between the read/write head and the media surface while the motor is rotating (hard drive).

Format

Structure or composition of a file (file format) or the logical layout of a data storage unit.

Formatted Capacity

The actual capacity available to store data in a mass storage device. The formatted capacity is the gross capacity minus the capacity taken up by the overhead data required for formatting the media.

Fragmented

In parts. A fragmented file does not have its content stored sequentially on the media. The file's content may be stored in small segments scattered over an area of the disk. The file system keeps track of where the data is stored and the user does not normally notice a file is fragmented. Fragmentation is common on hard drives, but usually data is stored sequentially on tapes.

Free space

Free space in a storage device. The space that in any given time does not belong to any file or the file system itself (system information). New files will be stored in the free space area.

Gigabyte(GB)

Expression used to describe storage capacity or amount of data. One gigabyte is about 1000 millions of bytes/characters (1024³).

G-List

Growing Defect List. List of blocks/sector of a disk that has become defective during the lifetime of the disk. The list is updated by the drive itself and stored internally on the disk. The information in this list may indicate the current state of the drive. Many entries in the G-List may indicate an early stat of a head crash.

Hard disk (HD)

Medium for permanent storage of data. Magnetic platters, electronics, and mechanics make up a hard disk. The platters are fixed to a spindle. On each side of a platter there is a read/write head. Each platter is divided into tracks, which is also divided into sectors. A characteristic of hard disks is that the platters and the mechanics are in an airtight enclosure, and the read/write heads do not touch the platters as long as the platters are rotating. See fly height.

Hard drive

See hard disk.

Hard Error

An error that is repeatable every time the same area on a disk is accessed.

Hardware

The physical components that computer systems are comprised of, like hard disks, cpus, expansion cards, etc.

HDA

Head Disk Assembly. For today's drives this corresponds to the hard disk without the PCB.

Head

Often referred to as the read/write head.

Head crash

A head crash is the damage caused by the heads coming in contact with the magnetic surface of the media (platters). The crash causes damage to the read heads and scratches in the magnetic coating. Data that was stored in the scratched area cannot be recovered. Shavings and dust from one head crash may cause crashes on the other surfaces.

Header

Introductory, preliminary information. Example: system information (file name, type of file, file length etc.), may be stored just before or at the start of a file. The use of headers is typical for tape file systems, and the format of larger files like databases.

IDE

Integrated Drive Electronics. Standard interface and protocol for hard disks. The disk controller is an integrated part of the hard disk unit.

Image

A cloned copy of a storage device.

Interface

Defined/standard transition/link - hardware or software. Rules for communicating with a unit. Example: See SCSI. (User interface) The 'face' of the computer. The part of the operating system that the user communicates with directly.

Invalid files

Artificial files, incorrectly created by automatic recovery utilities like Chkdsk, Scandisk, Vrepair, Norton Disk Doctor, and many others. The content of such files do not normally have any value. This is because it may contain only a fragment of the data of the original file, or it may contain fragments of several files.

Jumper

A jumper is an electrically conductive component that you place over pairs of pins to connect them electronically. For example, a jumper is one way to designate a hard drive as master or slave

Kilobyte (KB)

Expression used to describe storage capacity or amount of data. One kilobyte is 1024 bytes/characters.

Landing Zone

The designated radial zone of the disk, usually at the inner part of the disk, where the heads are stored to avoid contact with the data cylinders when power to the drive is off.

Linear density

See bit density.

Logical damage

Damage to file system or file data (file content).

Logical recovery

The recovery work performed on a copy of the raw data from the damaged unit. The intention is to repair damages to the file system or files, and to make the files available to the customer.

Logical storage unit

A storage unit made up by one or several parts of a physical unit, or several physical units, or a combination. A logical storage unit acts as one independent unit. Examples: partition, volume.

Low temperature

Unpacking drives at or below 10° C involves a risk of condensation damage to the hard disk. A hard disk that holds a temperature of 4° C should be allowed to stabilize for 13 hours before unpacking.

Master

The first drive in a dual drive combination. A master drive by itself (with no slave) is called a single drive. See slave.

Master Boot Record (MBR)

The first sector of a hard disk in a PC. It contains the Partition Table.

Megabyte (MB)

Expression used to describe storage capacity or amount of data. One megabyte is about one million of bytes/characters (1024²).

Mirror

Same as clone copy.

Mirror copy

Identical copy. Block by block copy of all blocks in a storage medium.

Mirroring

Creating an exact mirror data copy.

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)

Average time (expressed in hours) that a component works without failure. Also, the length of time a user may reasonably expect a device or system to work before an incapacitating fault occurs.

Multi-media

A simultaneous presentation of data in more than one form, such as sound or picture.

Multi-user

A system that enables more than one user to access the same data at the same time.

No physical damage

No physical damage in the drive itself was identified during physical analysis. All raw data from the drive may be copied to other storage mediums without loss.

NTFS

The file system designed for the operating system Windows NT. This file system is more advanced than the FAT file system used by the earlier Windows operating systems, with regards to data structures, filenames, security, and access control.

Off track

Used when the read/write head is unable to follow the right track. In hard disks this may be a result of a shock (shock damage). In tape context this may be due to mechanical problems with the tape drive.

Operating system

The operating system is the most basic program in a computer. All computers have an operating system along with other things used for starting the computer and running other programs (application programs). The operating system performs important tasks like receiving input from the keyboard and mouse, sending information to the screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, as well as controlling the various units such as disks, printers, etc. An operating system also offers a user interface, giving the user the possibility to control the computer. Examples of operating systems are: Windows95/98, Windows NT/2000, Novell Netware, Mac OS, UNIX, Linux.

Overwritten data

This refers to data, which has been physically overwritten by other data. Data that is physically overwritten by other data cannot be recovered.

Park Area

A designated safe non-data landing area designated for the resting of read/write head when drive power is turned off and not in use.

Partition

Logical storage unit. One hard disk can be divided into one or more partitions. Each partition is regarded as one logical storage unit, and normally contains one file system. In the Windows operating systems (95/98/NT/2000) each partition is assigned one station letter (C:, D: etc). For the user it looks like there are several hard disks in the computer. The term partition may also be used in tape context, but the interpretation differs slightly. It may have two partitions on tape. one will contain the file data and the other the system information.

Partition Table

A file system table. It contains information of how many and which types of partitions are on the disk.

PCB

Printed Circuit Board. Used for the electronics board on the hard drive.

Physical damage

Damage to the physical unit. For a hard drive this may be damage to the electronics, the mechanics or the media itself.

Physical recovery

The work performed directly on the damaged unit. The intention is to transfer as much data as possible to a functional storage unit.

Platter

The actual storage media in the different types of disks. In a hard drive the platter haa a core of glass or aluminium covered with a thin layer of Ferric oxide or a Cobalt alloy (Co-Ni, Co-Cr, Co-Ni-W). This layer is protected by a layer of a very hard material (overcoat), and a thin layer of lubricant. A CD is a plastic disc in which the data is impressed. It has a metallic, reflecting backside.

P-List

Primary Defect List. List of defective sectors in a hard drive. The defective sectors may not be used for storing data. The P-List is generated during fabrication. The disk itself stores it internally.

Port

A connection or socket on the motherboard or controller card.

RAID

Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks. A collection of 2 or more disks that work together to increase performance and safety. The disks form one logical storage unit. The most used RAID levels are: RAID 0: striping only, RAID 1: mirroring only, RAID 5: striping with error correction information on all disks.

RAM

Random Access Memory.

Memory that allows any storage location to be accessed randomly, as opposed to tape drives, which are sequential access devices.

Chips in the computer used for temporary storage of data.

Raw data

Raw data is uninterpreted data from a storage medium. The maximum amount of raw data that can be copied from a storage medium equals the capacity of the medium. As raw data, the data is handled without considering the information stored within the data. When handling raw data one does not know how much of that disk is actually in use or free. There will not be access to directories or files until the data is interpreted from a file system.

Read/write head

Element use to create and access the information stored magnetically on the platters/tape. A drive with several disk surfaces or platters will have a separate head for each data surface.

Reading problems

Due to small damages in the magnetic coating of the platters, one or several sectors or groups of sectors may be damaged beyond rescue. This may be a result of rough handling of the disk during transport or installation. See shock damage.

ROM

Read Only Memory. A storage media that can be read only - not written to (except for the first time).

SATA

Serial ATA is an evolutionary replacement for the Parallel ATA physical storage interface.

SCSI

Small Computer Systems Interface. A standard interface for connecting external units like disks, tape drives, CD players, scanners etc to a computer. Usually pronounced as "scuzzy."

Sector

Smallest data unit accessible on disk. Normally 512 bytes. See block.

Server

A computer used primarily to store data and providing access to shared resources. Usually it contains a network operating system.

Session

A session on tape corresponds to a partition or volume on hard disk.

Shock damage

Shock to a hard drive may cause the platters to become displaced, or damage to heads or the magnetic coating of the platters. Dropping a hard drive may also damage the mechanics within the drive such as the motor. As a consequence, the drive is unable to position the heads correctly along the recorded signals. A shock may later lead to a head crash.

Slave

The second drive in a dual drive combination. See master.

Soft Error

An error that occurs occasionally when attempting to read/write the same location. A non-repeatable error.

Software

General expression used to describe a collection of instructions enabling a computer to solve one or several tasks.

Spindle motor

The motor within a hard drive that rotates the platters.

Stiction

The word is a contraction of Static Friction. It is used when the read/write head sticks to the platter's lubricated coating.

Storage medium

Collective description of all types of media used for data storage. Examples: hard disk, floppy disk, MO, streamer tape, DAT, DLT, CD.

Strap

See jumper.

Stripe set

Collection of disks that together, through striping, makes up one unit.

Striping

Spreading data over several disks on a bit, byte, or cylinder level. The intention is to improve performance by letting the positions and read/write operations overlap in time.

Super Block

The first block of an UNIX-file system. It contains for instance the configuration of the file system.

Surface

The top or the bottom side of a platter coated with a magnetic material required for recording data. A platter may use one or both surfaces to store data.

System information

Typically used for the internal information of the file system itself. The file system keeps track of the names of the files, their size, and where the file is stored. This information is stored to the media in addition to the file content.

Tape

Magnetic tape, in cartridge, or reel. The tape has a magnetic surface where data may be stored. Tape is often used as backup media. Examples are: DAT, Streamer tape, DLT.

Terra byte(TB)

Expression used to describe data storage capacity or amount of data. One terra byte corresponds to 1024⁴ bytes/characters.

Time taken to make a copy

It takes about 1 hour to make a copy of a new, healthy drive of 8GB. To copy a damaged disk takes much longer. Copying the data in a file context is also slower than making a plain image copy. During the process of analysis and recovery we may generate 3-5 copies of all data.

Track

(Disk) Concentric circles where the data is stored, divided into sectors.

(Tape) The tracks of the tape prepared for storage of data, divided into blocks.

See format.

Unalignment

See off track.

Unicode

A 16-bit code standard for uniform representation of all the character systems in the world, digits, symbols, and control sequences to use when storing data.

Volume

Logical storage unit. May also be called a partition.

Volume set

Collection of disks or partitions that together form one logical storage unit.

Water damage

A data storage unit that has been exposed to water and has sustained some damage. A data storage unit that has been exposed to water must be kept wet until delivered to us.