Storage Devices

Question 1

What are the two types of main memory present in computers?

Answer 1

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

* ROM (Read Only Memory)

Question 2

What is RAM used for?

Answer 2

• Data currently being used
• Running programs
• Operating system

Question 3

What is ROM used for?

Answer 3

• Information that needs to be permanently in memory e.g. bootstrap loader.

Question 4

What does it mean for ROM to be non volatile?

Answer 4

Contents are retained when the power is turned off.

Question 5

What does it mean for RAM to be volatile?

Answer 5

• Contents are loft when the power is turned off.
• When the computer is off, RAM is empty.
• Computer stores running programs and data in RAM when the computer is on.

Question 6

What are some features of RAM?

Answer 6

• Can be read from and written to.
• Access to RAM is very fast
• At any one time it will normally contain:
- Operating System
- Software currently in use
- Data which the software is using

Question 7

What are the contents of RAM when the computer is turned on?

Answer 7

When the computer is turned on, the startup instructions load the OS from secondary storage to RAM.

Question 8

What happens to the contents of RAM when applications or programs are required to be loaded into it?

Answer 8

• When applications are programs are loaded, they are copied into RAM from secondary storage.

Question 9

What is virtual memory?

Answer 9

Part of the hard-drive used as an extension to RAM.

Question 10

When may virtual memory be used?

Answer 10

Virtual memory is used when the RAM is not large enough to simultaneously hold all of the currently being used programs and data.

Question 11

What is primary storage?

Answer 11

Volatile storage ( e.g. RAM ).

Question 12

What is secondary storage?

Answer 12

Non volatile storage.

Question 13

What are some advantages to secondary storage?

Answer 13

Retains contents when the computer is turned off.

Question 14

What are the disadvantages to secondary storage?

Answer 14

• Slower Access Speeds

* Not directly accessible to the processor

Question 15

How do solid state drives work?

Answer 15

• Array of chips arranged on a board.

* Uses electronically programmable non volatile flash memory.

Question 16

What are some advantages to solid state memory?

Answer 16

• More Durable
• Typically less capacity than a hard disk
• Faster than hard drives
• Consume less power
• Portable
• Silent in operation, and lighter.

Question 17

What are some disadvantages to solid state media?

Answer 17

• More expensive than hard disk drives