Seagate ST317221A 17.2GB 3.5" IDE Hard Drive U8 Model Tested Vintage Retro PC

Item: Seagate U8 ST317221ACapacity: 17.2GBInterface: IDE / ATAForm Factor: 3.5-inchCountry of Manufacture: Malaysia

This listing is for a vintage Seagate U8 ST317221A 17.2GB IDE hard drive. These drives were commonly used in late‑1990s and early‑2000s desktop systems and are ideal for retro PC builds, legacy hardware restoration, or data recovery projects.

Drive Details

• Model: ST317221A

• Capacity: 17.2GB

• Interface: IDE / ATA

• Cylinders: 16,383

• Heads: 16

• Sectors: 63

• LBA: 33,683,328

• Includes original factory labels and warnings

• Classic Seagate U8 series drive(s) show normal signs of age and storage. Labels are intact, and the units match the photos provided.(Insert your actual condition here: tested working, spins up but untested, for parts, etc.)

  Great For

  • Retro PC builds

  • Restoring period‑correct systems

  • Collectors of vintage hardware

  • Data recovery specialists

  • Tech enthusiasts

  What’s Included

  • Seagate ST317221A 17.2GB IDE hard drive (1 unit unless you’re listing multiples)

  Please review all photos to confirm condition. Feel free to reach out if you need serial numbers, additional pictures, or testing details.

  
  

  Product Family: Seagate U8 SeriesModel Number: ST317221ACapacity: 17.2 GBForm Factor: 3.5-inch IDE/ATA Hard Disk Drive

  General Specifications

  • Model: ST317221A

  • Series: U8

  • Capacity (Formatted): 17.2 GB

  • Interface: IDE / ATA‑4

  • Form Factor: 3.5"

  • Sector Size: 512 bytes

  • LBA Support: Yes

  • LBA Count: 33,683,328

  Geometry (CHS Parameters)

  • Cylinders: 16,383

  • Heads: 16

  • Sectors per Track: 63

  • Bytes per Sector: Speed: 5,400 RPM

  • Average Seek Time: ~12 ms (typical for U8 series)

  • Average Latency: 5.56 ms

  • Buffer Size: 512 KB (typical for this model)

  • Data Transfer Rate:

    • Internal: up to ~100–150 Mbit/s

    • External (PIO/DMA):

      • PIO Mode 4

      • Multiword DMA Mode 2

      • Ultra ATA/33 ~500,000 hours (typical for era)

      • Load/Unload Cycles: Read Errors: 1 per 10¹⁴ bits read

      Physical Characteristics

      • Form Factor: 5.75 in (146 mm)

      • Width: 4.00 in (101.6 mm)

      • Height: 1.00 in (25.4 mm)

    • Weight: ~1.0 lb (approx. 450 g)

    Power Requirements

    • Voltage: +5V / +12V

    • Typical Power Draw:

      • Spin‑up: ~20W

      • Read/Write: ~8W

      • Idle: 5°C to 55°C

      • Humidity: 5% to 95% 63 G (2 –40°C to 70°C

      • Shock: 350 G (2 ms)

      Regulatory & Label Information

      • Country of Manufacture: Malaysia

      • Warranty Seal: Removing cover voids warranty

      • Replacement Code: SP UL, CSA, TUV, CE (varies by batch)

      Use Cases

      • Retro PC builds (Pentium, Pentium II/III era)

      • Legacy industrial systems

      • Data recovery

      • Vintage hardware restoration

      • Collectors of early IDE drives