Abstract: A portable hard disk drive has an electrically erasable programmable read-only-memory (EEPROM) for storing a first password for allowing a user access to the disk and a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing a password entered by a user. A microprocessor is arranged to compare the user-entered passed with the password stored in the EEPROM and to generate a signal to allow a user access to the disk if a valid match is found and to prohibit access if there is no match.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature hard disk drive system including a substantially sealed enclosure housing a head-disk assembly and a printed circuit board assembly. The head-disk assembly includes a rotary drive motor and an actuator assembly which pivotally supports and positions one or more read-write head flexure assemblies. In one aspect of the invention, the drive system includes two miniature hard disks having an outer diameter of between 40 mm and 50 mm and has a total thickness not exceeding 10.5 mm. In another aspect, the printed circuit board assembly has first contact pads and the head-disk assembly has a flexible circuit assembly with a first flexible portion connected to the actuator assembly for electrical connection to the read-write heads and with a second flexible portion having second contact pads.