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Storage Devices – Theory Notes

When a computer is switched on, and whilst you are using it, data is stored
in its memory. However, you are going to want to store a permanent copy
of most of your work.

There are two types of storage devices, internal and

.....external...........................

Internal Storage

An internal storage device means that

Some storage devices are classed as 'internal' which means they are inside
the computer case. Most computers have some form of internal storage.

Two advantages of internal storage are

1. Internal storage allows the data and applications to be loaded very rapidly
into memory, ready for use.
2. The data can be accessed much faster than data which is stored on an
external storage device.

A disadvantage of internal storage is

The main disadvantage of internal storage is that when the hard disk fails,
all the data and applications may be lost.

External Storage

An external storage device means that

An external storage device, also referred to as auxiliary storage and

secondary storage, is a device that contains all the addressable data storage
that is not inside a computer's main storage or memory.

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An advantage of external storage is

An advantage of external devices is that it can be used as an emergency

backup drive.

Two disadvantages of external storage are

1.They have the same data loss risks as internal drives.

2.They can also be affected by sunlight heat etc.

Hard Disks

Hard disks are normally internal/external storage devices (delete as

appropriate)

Hard disks are measured in Kb/Mb/Gb (delete as appropriate)

The average size of a hard disk is around ……….500gb-4tb………………

Hard disks provide fast access to data when compared to a DVD

Hard disks provide slow access to data when compared to RAM

Hard disks are direct access

Hard disks are magnetic storage

The main purpose of a hard disk is to

Store and retrieve digital data using one or more rigid rapidly rotating
platters coated with magnetic material

Magnetic Tape

Magnetic Tape is an internal/external storage device (delete as appropriate)

Magnetic Tape is measured in Kb/Mb/Gb (delete as appropriate)

The average size of a magnetic tape is around …………1Tb…………………………

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Magnetic Tape provides slow access to data when compared to RAM

Magnetic Tapes are direct access
Magnetic Tape is optical storage

The main purpose of magnetic tape is to

Store computer data on magnetic tape is known as a tape drive.

Compact Disks
Compact disks are internal storage devices

Compact disks are measured in Mb (delete as appropriate)

The average size of a compact disk is around ……650Mb………………………………

Compact disks are direct/serial access (delete as appropriate)

Compact disks are magnetic/optical/flash storage (delete as appropriate)

What might be stored on a CD?

Videos and songs are the most common type things stored on cds other
things such as audio files can be used aswell.

CD-R means …Compact Disc-Recordable………………………………………..

CD-RW mean …Compact Disc-Re Writeable…………………………….…….

Digital Versatile Disks

DVDs are internal/external storage devices (delete as appropriate)

DVDs are measured in Kb/Mb/Gb (delete as appropriate)

The average size of a DVD is around ……………………………………

DVDs are direct/serial access (delete as appropriate)

DVDs are magnetic/optical/flash storage (delete as appropriate)

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What might be stored on a DVD?

Flash memory

Flash memory is magnetic / optical / solid state (delete or circle as

appropriate)

Some examples of use of flash memory as a method of storage are:

1. 2.

3. 4.

Flash memory offers very fast / slow access to data and programs (delete as
appropriate)

Compared to an internal hard disk, flash memory is faster / slower

One of the main disadvantages of flash memory is that

The storage capacity of a typical flash memory stick might be ....................

Network Storage

Briefly explain what is meant by network storage

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Online storage

Briefly explain what is meant by online storage

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