Introduction to Information and

Computers Technology
Lecture 6
 Secondary storage Devices
A secondary storage device refers to any non-volatile storage device that
is internal or external to the computer. It can be any storage
device beyond the primary storage that enables permanent data storage.
A secondary storage device is also known as an auxiliary storage device or
external storage.
Secondary storage Devices
Storage
• Store information
• Storage involve two processes:
• Writing or recording the data so it can be found later for use,
• Reading the store data, then transferring it into the computers
memory.
Storage
• The physical materials on which data is stored are called storage
media. E.g., diskette.
• The hardware components that write data to, and read data from,
storage media are called storage devices. e.g., diskette drive.
 Store Information
• A storage device is a hardware device designed to
store information. There are two types of storage
devices used in computers; a 'primary storage'
device and a 'secondary storage' device.

Primary storage Secondary storage

 Storage Devices
⮚ Storage devices are used to data and programs permanently
⮚ These devices are used to store large volume of data and program
⮚ Also called backing storage devices ,secondary storage devices,
or auxiliary devices

p. 354 Fig. 7-1 Next

 • How does volatility compare?
⮚ Storage medium is nonvolatile—contents retained when
power is off
⮚ Memory is volatile—holds data and instructions temporarily
ON OFF

Screen Display Display appears Display

Volatile

disappears

Memory Data and Data and instructions

(most RAM) instructions erased
available to user
Nonvolatile

Storage Medium Contents available Contents

(floppy disks, to user retained
hard disks, CDs)

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Types of Storage Media
⮚ Magnetic Disk
⮚ Optical Disc
Magnetic Disk
⮚ It is most widely used storage media.
⮚ A magnetic disk is a thin, circular metallic plate coated with magnetic material.
⮚ Information can be recorded on or read from the magnetic surface
Following are the types of Magnetic Disks:
1.Floppy Disk
2.Hard Disk
Magnetic Disks
• What is a floppy disk?
shutter
⮚ Portable, inexpensive storage
medium (also called diskette)
shell
liner

magnetic
coating
Thin, circular, flexible film enclosed
in 3.5” wide plastic shell
metal hub

flexible thin film

 • What is a floppy disk drive?

⮚ Device that reads from and

writes to floppy disk
▪ One floppy drive, named drive A Floppy disk drive built
into
⮚ Also called secondary storage a desktop computer

External floppy disk drive attaches

to
a computer with a cable

Next
 • What is a write-protect notch?

⮚ Small opening with a cover that you slide

⮚ Protects floppy disk from being erased accidentally

write-protected
notch open
means you
cannot write
on the disk not write-protected

notch closed
means you
can write on
the disk

Next
• What is a hard disk? hard disk installed
in system unit

⮚ High-capacity storage
⮚ Consists of several
inflexible, circular plate
that store items
electronically
⮚ Components enclosed in
airtight, sealed case for
protection

Next
Characteristics of Hard Disk:

Some important characteristics of Hard Disk are as follows:

⮚ It provides large storage capacity
⮚ The capacity of computer hard disk is from 2 to 80 GB and more
⮚ It is much faster than Floppy Disks
⮚ It is primary media for storing data and programs
⮚ It is more reliable than floppy disk
⮚ Data stored on hard disk is safer than floppy disk
 Optical Discs
• What are optical discs? Push the button to
slide out the tray.
⮚ Flat, round, portable metal
discs made of metal, plastic
⮚ Optical disk uses laser
technology to read and
write data
⮚ Most PCs include an Insert the disc,
optical disc drive label side up.
⮚ Can be read only or
read/write
⮚ Optical disk storage Push the same
capacity is from 600 MB to button
over 1 GB to close the tray.
⮚ It is much safer than
magnetic media
Next
Optical Discs
• How should you Do
care for an optical disc?
not expose
the disc to
excessive
heat or
sunlight Do store the
disc in a jewel
box when
not in use

Do not
eat, smoke, or Do not stack discs
drink near
a disc

Do not touch
Do hold a disc
the underside by its edges
of the disc

p. 368 Fig. 7-22 Next

Optical Discs
• Categories of Optical disks:
1. CD
2. DVD
• CD:
⮚ Stands for Compact Disk
⮚ It is most widely used media today
⮚ A single CD can store from 650 MB to 1 GB
⮚ The contents of CD can be read by CD drive
Different types of CDs are as follows:
1. CD-ROM
2. CD-R
3. CD-RW
 • What is a CD-ROM?

⮚ Compact disc read-only memory

⮚ Cannot erase or modify contents
⮚ Typically holds 650 MB to 1 GB
⮚ Commonly used to distribute multimedia and complex software

Next
• What are CD-Rs and CD-RWs?
Must have
CD recorder
or CD-R drive

CD-R (compact disc-recordable)

— disc you can write on once
c

Cannot erase
disc’s contents
CD-RW (compact disc-
rewritable)
— erasable disc you can write on
ce

multiple times
Must have
CD-RW software
and CD-RW drive

Next
 •Digital Video Disk (DVD)
⮚It is similar to CD-ROM
⮚It uses laser beams
⮚Its storage capacity is much greater
than CD-ROM
⮚It can store up to 17 GB of data

⮚ High capacity disc capable of

storing 4.7 GB to 17 GB
⮚ Must have DVD-ROM drive or
DVD player to read DVD-ROM
⮚ Stores databases, music,
complex software, and movies

Next
Optical Discs
1.DVD-R
– Stands for Digital Video Disk Recordable
– It is similar to CD-R
– The user write data on DVD-R only once but can read many times
– The data written on it cannot be erased

2.DVD-RW
– it stands for Digital Video Disk rewritable
– The user can write data on it many times by erasing the existing contents