Computer system, hard disk drive, and data security method

摘要

A disk drive data security system provides for inactivating the disk drive by landing and stopping the transducer heads on the highly polished disk data surface causing adhesion or stiction between head and disk that cannot be overcome by starting the spindle motor that rotates the disks. To provide maximum resistance to starting torque, the heads are landed near the outer diameter of the highly polished disk data storage surface portion. Instead of avoiding adhesion, the maximum stiction is sought to prevent disk drive operation in those environments requiring a high level of security such as extremely sensitive data or portable computers containing sensitive data which are stolen and beyond the possession and control of the individuals entitled to use the data. The disablement of the drives may be invoked by the occurrence of a predetermined number of successive unsuccessful attempts to enter a password that facilitates access to the data stored on the drive. The predetermined number can also be randomly varied to further discourage access attempts by trial and error.