In an attempt to simulate the flows in the computer hard disk storage system, flow visualization and quantification by image processing technique were applied. Model geometry was constructed while the dynamic similitude was maintained. Circumferential velocities were mapped out in the transient spin-up phase. During the spin-up phase, fluid close to the rotating inner hub approached the solid body rotation, while the fluid in the outer region showed the velocity deficit compared to the rotating speed of the disks. Effects of presence of read/write head arm assembly between the gap were studied by changing the location of the head. The experimental results could serve as a benchmark for the alidation of numerical codes. 7003