Objectives

• Understand the need for secondary storage

• Describe the operation of the following types of
storage and give examples of each:
• Magnetic storage
• Optical storage
• Solid-state storage
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
1.(a)State what ROM stands for. [1]

Read Only Memory.

Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
Explain one use of ROM. [2]

To hold the boot up / bootstrap instructions (1) so that the computer knows
where to find the operating system on the hard drive (1).

To hold program instructions (1) in an embedded computer (1).

To hold the BIOS (1) so that the computer can carry out basic operations
before loading the operating system (1).
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
Explain why computers also need RAM in addition to ROM.
[4]

It is not possible to change anything stored on ROM / to write to ROM (1).

This means that it isn’t possible to load new programs or data to it (1) nor is it
possible to make changes to variables / arrays (unless they are stored in
registers on the CPU) (1).

Any programs that need to be opened or data that needs to be loaded will
require RAM to load the data to. (1) This is because the CPU cannot access
the hard drive / secondary storage directly (1).
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
When desktop computers lose power due to being turned off, they need to
reboot and load the operating system again. Explain why a reboot is
necessary if a computer is turned off, but not if it is suspended.
[2]

In suspend mode a small amount of power is used to keep the contents of

RAM from being lost. (1)

When a computer returns from suspend mode, the RAM contents are still as
they were when the computer was suspended (1).

When the computer is turned off, there is no power going to the RAM, so the
contents are lost (1) as RAM is volatile (1).
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
A number of scenarios are shown in the table below.
Tick () one box in each row to show whether RAM or ROM would be
used
for each of the given scenarios. [6]
Scenario RAM ROM
An MP3 currently playing in the web browser
A word processed document currently minimised
The BIOS of the operating system
An email currently being written
Instructions on how to boot up the computer
A computer game that is currently being played
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Exam Questions
A computer manufacturer decides to decrease the amount of RAM they include
on a computer and increase the amount of virtual memory. The total amount of
memory is the same as before.
(a)Describe what is meant by virtual memory.[3]

An area of a hard drive / secondary storage is allocated to be virtual memory.

(1)
If more programs/data needs to be stored in RAM than there is space for (1),
some programs/data can be copied to virtual memory to free up space (1).

Programs may then be swapped between RAM and virtual memory (1).
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Starter
• RAM is a type of primary storage
• It has a fast data rate but is volatile
(the data is lost if there
is no power)
• What storage
devices are
used that are
non-volatile?
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Secondary storage
• Secondary storage is not directly
accessed by the CPU and is needed
for permanent storage of data
• It is non-volatile, meaning
it will keep data even if there
is no power
• Secondary storage devices
may be internal or external
to the computer
• What is secondary storage
used for?
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Uses of secondary storage

• It has many different uses – for example:
• Programs and data are stored on hard drive
• Blu-rays may be used to distribute films
• Memory sticks may be used to transport data from one place
to another
• Magnetic tape or external hard drives may be used for
backup
• SD cards can be used for additional storage on cameras
and smartphones – this is used for music, video and photos
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Storage types
• Primary storage
• RAM and ROM
• Secondary storage
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Offline secondary storage
• Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or BluRay
• Flash memory, SD cards
• Removable HDD or SSD
• Magnetic tape
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Storage methods
• Magnetic: Mechanical parts move over the disks
surface to read and write data magnetically, or a
drive head reads a magnetic tape
• Optical: Lasers read and write data using light
• Solid State: Data is recorded onto solid memory
chips without any moving parts
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Worksheet
• Complete Task 1 on Worksheet
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Magnetic disks
Basic features:
• Disk contains concentric
circles called tracks
• Each track is divided
into sectors
• Disk heads mounted on
mechanical arms read
and write the data
• A disk with a solid
platter is a ‘hard’ disk
• Soft plastic disks are
known as ‘floppy’ disks
 Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Hard disks
• Parts of a hard disk
Drive read/write head reads data
on the drive using electromagnets
Magnetic platter
contains data –
Hard disks may
contain more
than one platter
Actuator
moves the
read/write arm

Drive spindle rotates

Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Magnetic storage: hard disks

• Fixed magnetic hard disks are still used in many
PCs and laptops
• They have a very large storage capacity, up to 6TB or more
• They are a very cheap form of storage compared to solid
state drives
• Portable hard disks can
be connected to a
computer via a USB port
• They are used for
backing up or
transporting data
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Magnetic storage
• Advantages:
• Cheap, large storage capacities, relatively fast write speed

• Disadvantages:
• Lots of mechanical parts, durability an issue, sealed unit due
to disk head and platter precision and not very portable
• Uses:
• Personal computers, storage of large quantities of data

• Capacity:
• 500GB - 12TB or greater
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Optical storage
• Basic features:
• Data is stored as pits and
lands burnt or pressed into a
spiral track circulating
outwards from the centre
• A laser beam passes over the
pits and lands the level of
reflection is measured
• From this signal, 0s and 1s
can be derived
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Optical storage
• Advantages:
• Cheap, very easily portable, takes up little space physically
• Disadvantages:
• Less storage capacity compared to other types
• Easily damaged / scratched, requires a CD reader
• Slow write speeds
• Uses:
• Songs, videos and other multi-media storage, backup and
archiving of data
• Capacity:
• CD-ROM – up to 720 MB
• DVD – up to 8.4 GB (dual layered disk)
• Blu-Ray – up to 50 GB (dual layered disk)
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

How CDs work

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Computer architecture and storage

CDs, DVDs and BluRay

• Why are the capacities of these discs different given
they are all the same physical size?
• Microscopic view of the surface of a CD ROM
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Pit size and laser wavelength

• A CD has bigger pits and lands than Blu-ray as red
light has a larger wavelength
• The smaller Blu-ray pits and lands allow it to store more data
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Worksheet
• Complete Task 2 and Task 3 on Worksheet
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Solid State Drives (SSD)

• Basic features:
• Solid-state disks use
non-volatile flash memory to
store information
• Very fast read/write speeds as
it doesn’t need to wait for a
disk to spin to the correct
location and an arm to move
• No mechanical or moving
parts meaning these disks are
very durable
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Advantages /disadvantages
of SSDs
• Advantages:
• Highly durable, no moving parts, very fast read/write speeds,
no noisy fan or drive arm, faster start up times
• Disadvantages:
• More expensive than magnetic hard disks, similar storage
capacity as magnetic disks
• Uses:
• Higher end computers
• Laptops
• Smartphones and tablets
• Capacity:
• 100GB – 16TB
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Flash memory
• Low cost, portable, no moving parts, durable
• This makes them ideal for a range of offline devices:
• Cameras
• Mobile phones
• USB memory sticks
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

How flash memory stores data

• A floating gate may store or not store electrons
• If no electrons are present in the floating gate the current will
flow, representing a 1
• If electrons are stored in the floating gate, the current doesn’t
flow, representing a 0
1 0

Control Gate Control Gate Control Gate

Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Electrons

Floating Gate
Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Isolation Layer
SOURCE DRAIN SOURCE DRAIN SOURCE DRAIN
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

The isolation layer

• The isolation layers are semiconductors known
as transistors
• In order to write to the flash memory cell, the electrons need
to pass through the isolation layer
• The electrons only move through this layer when writing
• Normally, they remain trapped in the floating gate

Control Gate
Isolation Layer Electrons are
trapped

Isolation Layer
SOURCE DRAIN
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

How flash memory writes data

• The control gate is used to move electrons into or
out of the floating gate
• A negative voltage forces electrons out of the floating gate
• A positive voltage forces electrons into the floating gate

Control Gate -ve voltage +ve voltage

Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Electrons

Floating Gate
Isolation Layer Isolation Layer Isolation Layer
SOURCE DRAIN SOURCE DRAIN SOURCE DRAIN
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Solid-state (flash memory)

• Two types of flash memory are available
• NOR flash memory is used for programs
• Reading from NOR flash is random access like RAM
• It is used to store code such as the BIOS and possibly an
operating system and code is executed directly by the CPU
• NAND memory is used for data storage
• NAND memory works like other secondary storage
• Data is first copied to RAM before it is accessed by the CPU
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Worksheet
• Complete Task 4 on Worksheet
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Plenary
• In pairs, give answers to the following:
• Name 5 components inside a hard disk drive
• Name 4 components on a DVD or inside a DVD drive
• Name 3 technologies that storage
devices use
• Name 2 parts of a
memory cell in
solid state storage
• Name 1 word that
means 1024 Gibibytes
Secondary storage
Computer architecture and storage

Plenary
• Name 5 components inside a hard disk drive
Track, sector, platter, spindle/motor, read/write head, actuator
• Name 4 components on a DVD or inside a DVD drive
Pit, land, laser, light sensor, prism
• Name 3 technologies that storage devices use
Magnetic, optical, solid-state
• Name 2 parts of a
memory cell in solid
state storage
Control gate, floating
gate, isolation layer
• Name 1 word that means
1024 Gibibytes - Mebibyte