COMPUTER STORAGE

Computer Storage

Computer use the mathematics of number system based on two.   Binary Notation is using or belonging to a number system that has 2, not 10, as its base.  Information in computer is stored in form of 0 or 1.  This digit in binary notation is either of the digits 0 or 1 used to represent one of only two outcomes, e.g. on or off.  This is called a bit, the smallest unit of information storable in a computer or peripheral device, expressed as 0 or 1.

Byte

A group of eight bits of computer information, represented as a number or letter i.e the memory needed to store a single character.

Kilobytes (kb)

    A unit of computer data or storage space equivalent to 1,024 bytes

Megabyte (mb)

A unit of computer data or storage space equivalent to 1,024 kilobytes.  About a million bytes (1,048,576 bytes)

Gigabyte (gb)

A unit of computer data or storage space equivalent to 1,024 megabytes.  About one million kilobytes (1,000,000 kb).

Terabyte (tb)

A unit of computer data or storage space equivalent to 1,024 gigabytes.  About a trillion bytes (10¹² bytes).

Your computer has one or more disk drives devices that store information on a metal or plastic disk. The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off.

Hard disk drive

Your computer's hard disk drive stores information on a hard disk, a rigid platter or stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because hard disks can hold massive amounts of information, they usually serve as your computer's primary means of storage, holding almost all of your programs and files. The hard disk drive is normally located inside the system unit.

Floppy disk drive

Floppy disk drives store information on floppy disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared to CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a small amount of data. They also retrieve information more slowly and are more prone to damage. For these reasons, floppy disk drives are less popular than they used to be, although some computers still include them.

Why are floppy disks "floppy"? Even though the outside is made of hard plastic, that's just the sleeve. The disk inside is made of a thin, flexible vinyl material.

CD and DVD drives

Most computers have a CD or DVD drive, usually located on the front of the system unit. CD drives use lasers to read (retrieve) data from a CD, and many CD drives can also write (record) data onto CDs. If you have a recordable disk drive, you can store copies of your files on blank CDs. You can also use a CD drive to play music CDs on your computer.  DVD drives can do everything that CD drives can, plus read DVDs. If you have a DVD drive, you can watch movies on your computer. Many DVD drives can record data onto blank DVDs.

Flash Disk

A flash disk is a small, portable device that plugs into a  narrow rectangular connection at the back or front of the  computer called a USB port.  Like a hard disk, a USB flash disk stores information, but with a flash disk you can easily transfer that information from one computer to another. USB flash disks vary in size and shape and can hold a lot of information. USB flash disk are also called pen drives, thumb drives, key chain drives, key drives, and memory sticks etc.

Memory Cards

A device used by many digital cameras or phones to store pictures and video. Memory cards store computer information such as text, pictures, and music, and can be copied, erased, and used many times.  They use the Media Card Reader to transfer data directly to your computer.

The Media Card Reader supports the following memory types:

1.    xD-Picture Card and SmartMedia (SMC)

2.    CompactFlash Type I and II (CF I/II) and MicroDrive Card

3.    Memory Stick (MS/MS Pro)

4.    SecureDigital Card (SD)/ MultiMediaCard (MMC