1.1.3 I/O and storage devices

Question 1

What is an input device

Answer 1

The hardware that allow users to interact with a computer system

Question 2

List some input devices

Answer 2

Keyboard
Mouse
Touchscreen*
Microphone
Scanner
Game Controller

Question 3

What is an output device

Answer 3

Hardware that receive information from a computer system can present it to user

Question 4

Lists some output devices

Answer 4

Monitor
Printer
Speaker
Projector

Question 5

Characteristics of RAM

Answer 5

1. Random access memory
2. primary memory
3. volatile
   4.uses as main memory

Question 6

Characteristics of ROM

Answer 6

1. read-only memory
2. primary memory
3. non-volatile - store fixed and permanent data - contains BIOS
4. cannot be modified

Question 7

What kind of system ROM can be used

Answer 7

Embedded system like washing machine because no changes needed to be made.

Question 8

What happens when computer boots up

Answer 8

The operating system is copied from secondary storage to RAM

Question 9

When RAM is full, where does data that hasn’t been recently used moved to

Answer 9

To location on secondary storage known as virtual memory

Question 10

Why virtual memory is needed

Answer 10

There are times when the amount of
RAM needed to hold all running
programs and data is greater than the amount of RAM available to the computer. When this happens, part of the computer’s secondary storage, such as the
hard disk, can be used to store data temporarily.

Question 11

3 examples of optical devices

Answer 11

CD DVD blue-ray

Question 12

Examples of magnetic storage devices

Answer 12

Hard disk drives
Magnetic tapes drives

Question 13

Examples of flash storage devices

Answer 13

Solid-state drives
USB

Question 14

What is used to read from and write to optical devices?(1)

Answer 14

lasers

Question 15

How is binary information represented in optical devices?(4)

Answer 15

Pits and Lands; Pit represents 0 and Land represents 1.

Question 16

Which optical storage has a higher storage capacity

Answer 16

Blue-ray

Question 17

How is binary information represented in magnetic devices?(2)

Answer 17

2 magnetic states;1 polarised and 1 unpolarised.

Question 18

How is binary information stored in Flash storage devices?

Answer 18

Logic gates are used to store electrical charge in one of two states: high or low (1 or 0)

Question 19

Is flash storage volatile or non-volatile?(1)

Answer 19

Non-volatile - because it retains stored data even when power is removed

Question 20

Benefits and drawbacks of magnetic storage

Answer 20

Benefits - High storage capacity; relatively low cost per gigabyte; suitable for long-term storage and backup.

Drawbacks - Slower read/write speeds; have moving parts so not portable.

magnetic tape - very slow when finding data; but cheap and has greater capacity than HDD

Question 21

Benefits and drawbacks of optical storage

Answer 21

Benefits - portable and easy to post for distribution; cheap

Drawbacks - Slow transfer speed; can be easily scratched or damaged.

Question 22

Benefits and drawbacks of flash storage

Answer 22

Benefits - Fast read/write speeds; no moving parts, so less likely to fail due to physical shock; silent operation; light and portable.

Drawbacks - High cost; limit lifespan.

Question 23

What is virtual storage

Answer 23

Data stored on remote hard disks accessed over the internet virtual server

Question 24

Why is there a need for virtual storage?

Answer 24

Storing all this data on local devices can be impractical due to limitations in storage capacity and the risk of data loss.
Virtual storage provides a solution to these problems by offering off-site storage with built in backup

Question 25

Advantages of Virtual Storage

Answer 25

1. Easy to increase storage capacity as needs grow.
2. Cost-effective - Pay only for the storage used, often more affordable than maintaining own storage infrastructure.
3. Accessibility - Data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
4. Scalability - Easy to increase storage capacity as needs grow.

Question 26

Disadvantages of Virtual Storage

Answer 26

1. Dependence on Internet Connection - Access to data can be slow or impossible with a poor Internet connection.
2. Fees need after limited free space run out
3. Security Concerns - Storing sensitive data off-site can pose a risk