How to Identify Hard Drives

Identifying a hard drive can be of great importance when you need to check for information such as drive speed, connective interface and capacity. Luckily, checking the identifying information of a hard drive is an extremely easy process for anyone.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Hold the hard drive in your hand taking care not to contact any exposed circuit boards with your skin.

2. Turn the hard drive so its power connectors and data connectors are facing you.

3. Turn the hard drive so its product label is facing you. All hard drives are required to have a product label displayed on the top face of their drives.

4. Browse over the product label for the following information: capacity, RPM, company logo and name and model number.
   Using this information, you already know the drive's capacity, manufacturer and rotational speed. If further information is needed, you can visit the respective manufacturer's website with the model number and read detailed specifications.

Tips & Warnings

• Touching an exposed circuit board on a hard drive may lead to an electrostatic discharge that can ruin the hard drive.

References

• Computer Hard Disk Drive Settings and Specifications