| 摘要 |
External drive components and computers having external drive components with disabling systems that restrict access to software and other computer-readable media in the external drive components only to authorized users. In one embodiment, a computer includes a processor, a power supply coupled to the processor, and an external drive component. The external drive component can include a head capable of reading and/or writing data on a computer-readable medium, a holder configured to hold the computer-readable medium in an operating position in which the head can read data from the computer-readable medium, and a drive assembly coupled to the holder. The drive assembly moves the holder and/or the computer-readable medium from the operating position to a load/unload position in which the computer-readable medium is accessible to a user. The computer can also include a disabling system coupled to the drive assembly. The disabling system selectively disables the drive assembly from moving the holder and/or the computer-readable medium from the operating position to the load/unload position. In one embodiment, for example, the disabling system comprises a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor. The computer-readable medium can contain a computer-readable program that causes the processor to: (a) disable the drive assembly upon a protected disable command to prevent the holder from being moved from the operating position to the load/unload position; and (b) enable the drive assembly upon a protected enable command to activate the drive assembly for moving the holder between the operating and the load/unload positions.
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