Method and apparatus for automatic detection of disk type in a computer system

摘要

Techniques for a computer system to automatically detect the type of hard disk drive installed in the system even if the hard disk drive has been replaced or upgraded. A method includes retrieving data from a partition table and calculating the necessary parameters from the values in the partition table. In a specific embodiment, the method includes calculating a HEAD parameter and a SECTORS/TRACK parameter from certain addresses stored in the partition table. The method further includes sending an IDENTIFY DRIVE (ID) command to the hard disk drive. Some types of hard disk drive communicate additional information in response to the ID command. The method includes calculating a CYLINDER parameter, using such additional information, if provided. Otherwise, the CYLINDER parameter is calculated from information in the partition table.