storage devices

Question 1

PRIMARY memory

Answer 1

internal storage such as RAM or ROM. Stored here when waiting to be processed

Question 2

RAM

Answer 2

volatile memeory that loses contents when powered off, write and read. From bytes to gigabytes

Question 3

ROM

Answer 3

non volatile (wont lose contents) and read only. generally contains software - firmware, bootstrap and eprom

Question 4

SECONDARY storage

Answer 4

where the software is stored when it is not in use. more permanant, overwritten when necessary. not directly accesible by the processor. has to be sent to RAM first. makes it slow. 3 types (magnetic optical sssd)

Question 5

Hard disk drive

Answer 5

several disks known as platters. metal or glass. magnetised. stored as dots. most common

Question 6

CD

Answer 6

optical medium. Uses a red laser to read land and pits.
red laser shones onto surface, rotated at a constant speed. surface covered in a track.
data in pits and lands
reflect light differently
used to determine binary value.

Question 7

DVD

Answer 7

higher frequency

allows pits and land to be packed together. More data stored, have more than one reflective layer.

Question 8

Blu - ray

Answer 8

use a blue laser. shorter wavelength. more precision when reading and writing. data can bve packed together. more than one reflective layer.

Question 9

optical storage

Answer 9

read by shining a laser onto the surface of the plastic discs, coated in aluminum makes them reflective, using a laser to make pits, area inbetween in land

Question 10

ssd

Answer 10

solid state drive
no moving parts, high speed flash memeory
small but have highest transfer rate, expensive

Question 11

offline storage

Answer 11

non volatile that is disconnected or removed from a pc, CD DVD, usb ram stick, magmetic tape etc