Module 1.

3
Storage, Memory and
Processing

MODULE 1.3

1
Content 2

Memory and storage

What are memory and stora
ge?
Online storage
Backing up
Basic troubleshooting
Processing
Test and improve
Memory and
Storage

3
Memory vs Storage 4

Memory
• Holds the data and instructions that the computer
is using whilst it is on and working
• Memory is electronic
• Memory is fast to access
• Needs power to keep its contents (volatile)

Storage
• Holds programs and data far more permanently
• Magnetic (hard drive), optical (CD, DVD) or
electronic (flash drives and SSD)
• Slow because its works mechanically
• Keeps contents even when computer is switched
off (non-volatile)
Interpreting 5
Advertisements Memor Storag
y e
• Where the advert refers to
RAM it indicates memory.
• Terms such as HDD (Hard Disk
Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive)
and DVD writer refer to the
April storage on the computer.
2017

April
SSDs are much faster at
2017
transferring data than hard drives.

A computer with an SSD will

perform much faster than the
same computer with a hard drive.
 6

Online storage is disk space that is allocated

to you on a server on the internet
How Online Storage 7
Works
 Advantages of 8
Online Storage
 Accessible from anywhere on any device with
internet access.
 Saves space on the user’s computer.
 Changes all in one place – all devices always
the latest version
 Backup and security managed by storage
provider
 Easy to share files with other people
 Data is still accessible even if your computer
‘crashes’ or is stolen
 Disadvantages of 9
Online Storage
 Only accessible when you have an internet
connection
 Especially large files may not be usable over
slow connections
 Pay for the bandwidth used to upload and
download (and for extra storage space)
 No control over backup and security
 If the company goes bankrupt you may lose
all your data
 Online Storage 1
vs 0
Cloud Computing
Online storage differs from Cloud Computing - it
only involves storing files online.
Real cloud computing means that actual programs
run on a server on the internet and you access
those programs through your web browser.
 Online Storage
vs
1
1

Cloud Computing
 Backing up 1
It must be: 2
 easy to restore the data from the backup media
 quick and easy to make a backup

High
Portable Online
Flash speed
hard backup
drives tape
drives services
devices
Popular back-up
strategies
How to write CDs and DVDs 1
3
Open Windows Explorer

Using CDs or Select files

DVDs for Drag files to CD DVD
backup is not drive
recommended. Repeat until you are done
They are slow
and unreliable. Right click on the drive

Select “Burn”
 and

kup
Bac
Arc
hiv
es

s
1
4
Backups

• Copy or duplicate files in case something

goes wrong. Can be automated.

Archiving

• Storing files that are not meant to be

accessed regularly, but kept as reference,
usually onto an external hard drive.

Backups are
essential.
Archiving is not.
 Basic Troubleshooting
1
5
Managing
CD / DVD
Backups

Specialist backup Problems writing Problems reading

software to a CD or DVD? a CD / DVD

Only adds the

Lower writing Make sure that
changed files to
speed CD / DVD is clean
the backup

Ensure there’s enough

Compares backup
storage space to create
with storage
an image

Close all other tasks

Compresses data whilst burning the
CD/DVD
 Basic Troubleshooting
1
6
Formatting and reformatting Disk scanning

Formatting – preparing a disk Fix problems by running a disk

to store data scanner

Fix problems on hard

Most disks are pre- drives, SSDs and flash
formatted drives

Now and then you may Check a drive for errors

need to reformat a disk and bad sectors

These errors often occur

When you format a disk, all when Windows locks up
information will be deleted and must be restarted.
Basic Troubleshooting
1
7
Disk defragmentation

It speeds up the computer – It

DOES NOT create extra space

The more the computer is used, the

more the files get scattered on the
disk

A utility that puts the parts of files

back together again, speeds your
computer up
 Troubleshooting
1
Disk filling up (too little space)
8

Disk Cleanup

Temporary files downloaded from

internet

Deleted files and folders from

Recycle Bin

Temporary files created by

Windows

Components of Windows that you

are not using

Installed programs that you no

longer or seldom use
Processi
ng

1
 Processing 2
0
Motherboard

RAM

ROM
CPU
• Large circuit • CPU does all • RAM - where • Holds the
board - all the CPU obtains programs
the other processing instructions that control
components • Speed is and data the basic
plug into measured in that it needs hardware of
GHz to work on the
• ‘Dual core’ • A program computer
or ‘quad only runs
core’ (or any when it is
other ‘core’) loaded into
describe a memory and
CPU - tells can only
you how work with
many data that is
physical loaded into
CPUs are on memory
chip
 2
Desktop
1
Push Start
shows

Loading Starting the Instructio

Operating ns from
System
PC Booting ROM

Up
 
CPU
System

 Check Boot
Program
Test and improve
Use the summary for own revision

2
Written module
activity