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[ INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT // HARD DISK DRIVES ]

Seagate ST-225

5.25-inch half-height MFM HDD, 1980s. This record describes this specific product, standard, or clearly identified family; it is not a claim that every product sold under a similar name shares these specifications.

Photograph of Seagate ST-225
PHOTOGRAPH — Jailbird, CC BY-SA 2.0 · FILE ON WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

IDENTIFICATION WARNING: Match the complete model/part number and revision to its label and manual. Family-level entries may cover revisions; values marked “common” are not guaranteed for every unit.

Specifications

Catalog subcategoryMFM and early magnetic drives
Catalog identitySeagate ST-225
Era / family5.25-inch half-height MFM HDD, 1980s
Key specifications20 MB formatted capacity; ST-506/ST-412-compatible interface; 615 cylinders and 4 heads in common geometry
Interfaces / mechanicalRequires a compatible MFM controller, cabling, low-level format, and drive-specific geometry
Compatibility and variantsController BIOS/drive geometry and interleave affect usable performance and compatibility.
Use / service noteInspect condition, revision markings, firmware or configuration, connectors, and any prior repair. For preservation, record photographs of labels and board markings before cleaning or disassembly.

Identification & compatibility checks

  • Photograph manufacturer, full model number, revision, serial/date codes, connector faces, and included brackets or cables before installation.
  • Confirm electrical interface, connector pinout, physical dimensions, power requirements, firmware/driver support, and the host device’s documented compatibility.
  • Do not infer compatibility from a shared brand, socket silhouette, connector shape, or marketing family name. Revisions and regional SKUs may differ.
  • When a unit’s identity is uncertain, compare component markings against the manufacturer manual and avoid applying power until the pinout and condition are known.

Context & archival notes

Controller BIOS/drive geometry and interleave affect usable performance and compatibility.

Useful collection fields: exact model and revision; manufacture date; board/assembly identifiers; firmware; accessories; condition; known faults; source of acquisition; and the document revision used to verify this entry. Any measured result should include test setup and method.

Sources & further reading

  1. Seagate Support — Drive documentationPrimary or standards reference for this component family; confirm the full model number and revision.
  2. SATA-IO — SATA specificationsPrimary or standards reference for this component family; confirm the full model number and revision.

Source notes point to standards bodies, manufacturers, or archival records. Some sources cover a family rather than this exact revision; the manufacturer datasheet/manual for the full part number takes precedence.