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INFO1 - Practical Problem Solving in The Digital World

The document discusses different methods for storing data on a computer, including internal storage devices like hard drives and ROM, as well as external storage options like optical discs, magnetic tapes, flash memory, online storage, and hard disk drives. It provides details on the storage capacity, read/write capabilities, reliability, and uses of each method.

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ATS Technology
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17 views17 pages

INFO1 - Practical Problem Solving in The Digital World

The document discusses different methods for storing data on a computer, including internal storage devices like hard drives and ROM, as well as external storage options like optical discs, magnetic tapes, flash memory, online storage, and hard disk drives. It provides details on the storage capacity, read/write capabilities, reliability, and uses of each method.

Uploaded by

ATS Technology
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INFO1 – Practical problem solving in the digital world

 Basic setup information and operating


systems are required for the computer to
function.
 Application software needs to be available for
the user to carry out tasks.
 Files created by the user need to be stored so
that they can be used again.
 Data may need to be transferred from one
device to another.
 Backup copies needs to be taken in case the
original files are lost or corrupted.
Magnetic Storage Optical Storage

Storing data
on a computer

Online Storage Flash Memory


 When a PC boots up it uses data stored in the
ROM to load the BIOS to make the computer
work.
 It loads the operating system from the hard

drive.
 Application software and data files are called

up from the hard drive as the user requests


them.
 Hard drive and ROM are internal storage

devices.
 In addition to immediate storage of ROM and
RAM, a computer needs a backing store for
mass storage of data and programs.
 Most PC’s also make use of removable media.
 External hard drives connected by USB are

used.
 DAT tapes are used in back up severs.
 Portable flash drives are used for various file

storage.
 What’s the difference?

 The storage medium is the surface on which


the data is stored.
 The storage device is the hardware that reads

the data.

 E.g. a DVD re-writer is the device that reads


and writes data to DVD media.
These devices work by storing data
on magnetised surfaces.
 Most of the storage on a PC system is carried
out by the hard disk.
 They are made from rotating plastic/metal

disks covered by a magnetic coating where


data is stored.
 Read/Write heads move between the disks as

they spin to read/write the data.


 Available with very large storage capacities.
 Very fast, reliable and robust.
 External hard disks are portable.
 RAID drives are a set of disks that work
together.
 Each disk can be used to store a part of the
data.
 If one drive fails then the others take over to
ensure data is not lost, this can prevent
network failure.
 Mirrored drives can be set up so more than
one copy of the data exists, in case of drive
failure.
 In servers these can be hot swapped.
 Were once a very popular method of storage,
but only hold 1.44mb of data.
 Now obsolete as they are impractical for

today's vast amounts of data.


 Most pc’s do not even come with a floppy

drive any more.


 They store data on a circular pieces of

magnetic film.
 Very easily damaged, not very reliable.
 Small tapes that can hold a lot of data.
 Often used in backup servers as they are Easy

to take away and store in a different place to


the server.
 Slow to write to and slow to retrieve data

from.
 Less reliable than hard drives.
 But useful as a backup medium.
Use devices such as CD’s and DVD’s and
use optical technology to etch data onto a
plastic coated metal disc. Laser beams are
then passed over the surface to read the
data.

CD’s have up to 700Mb capacity


DVD’s have 4.7Gb capacity
Blue ray offers even more capacity.
CD-ROM/ CD-R/ CD-RW/
DVD-ROM DVD-R DVD-RW
ROM – Read Have data RW – Re-write.
Only Memory. written to them Data can be
Often used to once. written to them
supply software. No more data many times.
No further data can be written to Good for

can be written to them. transferring data


them. Good for between
backup storage computers.
of data.
They are all good portable devices, but have limited storage capacity and
can be scratched easily making data unreadable.
 Small in size so are used for cameras, MP3
players, mobile phones, sat-nav’s etc.
 It uses solid state technology to store data on

tiny cards of various sizes.


 Flash based pen drives (USB) are very popular

for transferring data between computers.


 Most operating systems recognise them, so

there is no need for installation.


 Solid state memory is now being used for

laptops and other portable computers.


 Increased upload and download speeds have
enabled broadband internet connections.
 This has made it feasible for people to store
their data away from their computers.
 Many websites offer a storage service with a
high capacity for a small price or even for
free.
 This is convenient as you do not need to
carry a portable device.
 However an internet connection must be
available.
 If a question asks you to choose a medium to save
data to, make sure you choose CD-R or CD-RW
rather than a CD-ROM, because CD-ROMs are read
only. The same applies to DVD.
 Never choose floppy disc as an answer to a
question asking you to recommend a backup
medium. They hold too little data and there are
much more reliable methods available.
Terabyte (TB) 1,000 gigabytes (1,024 Gb)

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