CHAPTER 7 Storage Katie Moody

Storage Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use. Every computer uses storage to hold software.

Storage Terms A storage medium is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information (i.e) Zip disks, hard disks, CDs, DVDs etc…). Capacity is the number of bytes (characters) a storage medium can hold. A storage device is the computer hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media.

Storage Terms continued… Writing is the process of transferring data instructions, and information from memory to a storage medium Reading is the process of transferring these items from a storage medium into memory. Access time measures the amount of time it takes a storage device to locate an item on a storage medium, or the time required to deliver an item from memory to processor.

Floppy Disks A floppy disk, also called a diskette, is a portable, inexpensive storage medium that consists of a think, circular, flexible plastic Mylar film with a magnetic coating enclosed in a square-shaped plastic shell.

Floppy Disk Drives A floppy disk drive is a device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk. A user inserts a floppy disk into and removes it from the floppy disk drive.

ZIP Disks A ZIP disk is a type of portable magnetic media that can store from 100 MB to 750 MB of data. A larger capacity Zip disk can hold about 500 times more than a standard floppy disk.

Hard Disks A hard disk is a storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that store data, instructions, and information.

Types of Hard Disks External Hard Disk -a separate freestanding hard disk that connects with a cable to a USB port on the system unit. Removable Hard Disk - a hard disk that you insert and remove from a hard drive. Advantages of External and Removable Hard Disks

Hard Disk Controllers

Internet Hard Drives A service on the web that provides storage to computer users, usually for a minimal fee. Reasons for Use: –Access files on the internet –Saves time –Allows others to access files –View data immediately –Store offsite backup for data

CDs and DVDs Types of optical storage media Primarily store software, movies, pictures, and music Can be read only or have read/write capabilities.

-The drive designation of a CD or DVD drive usually follows alphabetically after that of all the hard disks and portable disks. -Are not magnetic media, rather they are optical media, in which information is stored in microscopic pits created by lasers. -Properly cared for CDs and DVDs are guaranteed to last five years.

CD-ROMs (Compact disc read-only memory) Type of optical disk that uses laser technology to store data. Can contain audio, text, graphics, and video. To read items stored on a CD-ROM, insert the disc into a CD-ROM drive

DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile disc-ROM) An extremely high capacity optical disk capable of storing 4.7 GB to 14 GB. Goal is to meet the needs f home entertainment, computer usage, and and business data with the use of a single medium.

Tapes and PC Cards Tapes are magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data at a low cost. Used in tape drives. PC cards are thin credit-card sized devices that add additional storage, memory, and other capabilities.

Miniature Mobile Storage Media PDA’s Digital Cameras Music Players Smart Phones

Smart Cards Similar to the size of a credit card or an ATM card, it stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card. Popular uses include pre-paid telephones, digital cash, and storage of health care information.

Microfilm - a foot roll of film Microfiche - a small sheet of film, usually about 4 inches by 6 inches. Libraries use these media to store back issues of newspapers, magazines, and genealogy records.