Computer Fundamental

Memory

Memory can be very confusing but is usually one of the easiest pieces of hardware to add to your computer. It is common to confuse chip memory with disk storage. An example of the difference between memory and storage would be the difference between a table where the actual work is done (memory) and and a filing cabinet where the finished product is stored (disk). To add a bit more confusion, the computer's hard disk can be used as temporary memory when the program needs more than the chips can provide.

Types of Memory

. Primary Memory/Storage . Secondary Memory/Storage

Primary Storage

Primary is directly connected to the central processing unit of the computer. It must be present for the CPU to function correctly, just as in a biological analogy the lungs must be present (for oxygen storage) for the heart to function (to pump and oxygenate the blood).

Primary Storage is also called temporary storage; Bcaz data stored on it got erased as we switch off the computer.

Primary storage typically consists of two kinds of storage:

. Main memory contains the programs that are currently being run and the data the programs are operating on. In modern computers, the main memory is the electronic solid-state random access memory [RAM].

. Registers are internal to the central processing unit. Registers contain information that the arithmetic and logic unit needs to carry out the current instruction.

Secondary Storage

Also known as Permanent Storage caz data stored onto it is permanent. It is used to store data that is not in active use. Secondary storage, or external memory, is computer memory that is not directly accessible to the central processing unit of a computer, requiring the use of computer's input/output channels.

Secondary Storage devices:

Hard Drive

Also located inside the system case, the hard drive is the component which contains the operating system of the computer (i.e. Windows 98 or XP), software applications (i.e. Quicken or Microsoft Word), and all files (i.e. documents and photographs) on a hard disk.

A hard drive stores this data during and between the times one uses the computer.

Hard drive

These devices can both read and write data on the hard disk. The capacity of data storage for hard drives is measured in gigabytes. Hard drives capable of holding up to 200 gigabytes of information are now available for consumers to purchase. Most computers available today come with a 20, 40, 60, or 80 gigabyte hard drive.

Hard drive

Floppy Disk Drive

Although it is completely contained within the system case, the opening of the floppy disk drive is usually visible in the front of the case.

A floppy disk can be used to transfer information from one computer to another, install new software, or back up a small amount of files. This is accomplished by temporarily inserting the floppy disk into the disk drive.

Floppy disk drive on front of the system case

The picture below is a 3½ inch floppy disk which has a data storage capacity of 1.44 megabytes. Most computers made within the past 10 years have this type of floppy disk drive as a standard device. These disks can be read or written to by almost any computer and can be erased and reused over and over.

3 1/2 inch floppy disk

The picture on the left is a 5¼ inch disk. These disks were commonly used during the 1980's when home computers were made available to the average consumer.

5¼ inch disk

Because they are physically flexible, they were given the name floppy disks. The 5¼ inch disk is now considered to be outdated technology, and they are rarely used today because most modern computers do not even come equipped with that type of disk drive.

Compact Disc Drive

The compact disc is another way in which data can be stored, transferred, or installed.

These discs are capable of holding up to 700 megabytes of information and are read by an optical device called the CD-ROM (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory) drive. As the name implies, a CD-ROM drive may only read or use the data on a compact disc. This device does not have the capability of placing information on a blank CD.

Compact disc (CD)

However, in recent years, a new type of compact disc drive has been made available to consumers. The CD-RW (Compact Disc - Read Write) drive not only allows one to use existing information on a CD but also to place data on a blank compact disc.

Because of the optical process involved, this is commonly known as burning a CD and the CD-RW drive is often referred to as the CD-burner.

CD-RW