How do HD get ID from MB ? 1

[Sladezero]

Hey there,

First off HI to everyone. My question might sound simple
at first but I am more curious as to the technical aspects
of it. What technique does the motherboard use to ID the
hard drive such as the information you see on boot-up.
There is a digital signature on the drive and I need to
know for a project how the motherboard is able to retrieve
that signature such as: Western Digital 800JB...etc....
Thanks for any help given.

Slade

 

[Sladezero]

Hey there,

Sorry, this thread should be titled How the Motherboard
gets the Hard Drive ID.....
Sorry.

Slade

 

[Blujacket]

The information is stored in the chips on the interface board on the hard drive and the BIOS reads it.

 

[paparazi]

Sladezero
Same goes for iother periferals such as graphics cards and CD roms, each has like an eprom chip with data for that device which is read by the mortherboard.
On some devices this information sometimes needs updating, hence the term "firmware update" and in a similar proceedure to flashing the bios on the mortherboard the user can "firmware flash" the periferal device.
It is common for DVD writers to benefit from firmware updates to make them more compatible with differant media types, but firmware updates are generally advisable only when there are know issues with the device in question.
Just as a matter of interest, IBM issued firmware updates when there "now notorious" lines of hard drives, the GPX60 and GPX75 had issues, I believe they hoped in vien, that these particular firmware updates would bring these drives back into operational limits and prevent as many returns.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Sladezero]

Hey there,

Thanks for all the information. I do know that the devices
contain chips that have the IDs on them. I was more curious
on how I am able to retrieve the information. I know
the motherboard is able to do this. I am more interested in
having another device being able to ID the hard drive itself.
IE: allowing a router to ID a hard drive as Western Digital.
I know this sounds ridiculous but, it is my hope to attack
a drive to a network with out the use of a server/rack.
It would still have a network adapter attached which I can do.
I just need the ability for to be able to see the drive
as a device. Once I do that I am sure I can transfer data
via an IP address.
Crazy I know. I know it can be done. I am just trying to
figure out how.

Slade

 

[Blujacket]

I imagine what you really need is a Network Attached Storage device, such as discussed here:

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/networking/0,39023970,10004049,00.htm