Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Having protection or reliability feature
Utility Patent
1998-04-17
2001-01-02
Auve, Glenn A. (Department: 2781)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Having protection or reliability feature
C360S097020, C360S075000
Utility Patent
active
06169930
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENITON
The present invention relates to a direct access storage device (DASD), and more particularly to a method and apparatus for preventing cold temperature induced damage in a direct access storage device (DASD).
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Direct access storage devices (DASDs) or hard drives are widely used with modern computers. Disk drive units often incorporating stacked, commonly rotated rigid magnetic disks, are used for storage of data in magnetic form on the disk surfaces. Data is recorded in radially spaced data information tracks arrayed on the surfaces of the disks. Transducer heads driven in a path toward and away from the drive axis write data to the disks and read data from the disks.
In today's mobile computing age, there are environmental conditions where applying power and attempting to spin up a magnetic disk drive storage device can lead to irreversible damage and data loss. Mobile computer manufacturers have been warning customers of the hazards of powering up a cold laptop computer. Users are warned to avoid turning on “cold” or “frozen” systems until the unit has warmed to a safe temperature. The terms “warmed to room temperature” and “the hard drive will freeze” are intended to provide guidelines; however, such warning statements that have been issued on the Internet or in product manuals may go unread, or may be misinterpreted or unheeded by users.
A need exists for a method and apparatus to protect end users from cold temperature induced damage in a direct access storage device (DASD) and resultant data loss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for preventing cold temperature induced damage in a direct access storage device (DASD). Other important objects of the present invention are to provide such method and apparatus substantially without negative effects; and to provide such method and apparatus that overcome many of the disadvantages of prior art arrangements.
In brief, a method and apparatus are provided for preventing cold temperature induced damage in a direct access storage device (DASD). A temperature of the direct access storage device (DASD) is measured and compared with a predetermined minimum cold temperature. The direct access storage device (DASD) is started responsive to the measured temperature being greater than or equal to the predetermined minimum cold temperature.
In accordance with features of the invention, a warning indication is provided to the user responsive to the measured temperature being less than the predetermined minimum cold temperature. A microcode routine is stored in a random access; memory (RAM) in the DASD. The microcode routine is performed for heating the direct access storage device (DASD) responsive to the measured temperature being less than the predetermined minimum cold temperature.
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Blachek Michael D.
Smith Gordon James
Auve Glenn A.
Chung-Trans Xuong
International Business Machines - Corporation
Pennington Joan
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