Introduction to Computers and

Information Technology

Chapter 3: Storage Basics

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 Computer Storage devices

 Computer Storage devices are a computer’s hardware components that

retain data even after the power is turned off.

 A computer stores data and program instructions in a file, which is a

collection of related information or program code that is given a unique
name.

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 Storage devices types

storage devices types Primary storage

describes the main memory, or
RAM, in a computer.

refers to devices that can store data

permanently, such as a hard drive,
Secondary storage flash drive, compact disc, DVD, or
external hard drive.

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 ROM Chip

• The Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS, is a set of programs, called firmware, that

tells the computer equipment how to start up.

• The BIOS is permanently stored in special memory chips called read-only memory

ROM.

• Most Apple Macintosh computers and personal computers

built to run Windows 8 and later use UEFI (Unified Extensible

Firmware Interface) instead of BIOS.

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 RAM vs ROM

Storage Holds

Startup instructions and

ROM

Permanent configuration information

for the computer

Program instructions and

RAM

Temporary data that are being used by

the CPU

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 Categories of Storage Devices

01
Read Only vs Reading and Writing

02
Sequential vs Random

03
Magnetic vs Optical

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 Categories of Storage Devices

The ability of Reading and Writing

Read-Only It can only read from the media

Example :- CD-R ,CD-ROM

Read and write It can read and write from/on the media
Example :-Hard Disk – CD-RW – DVD-RAM

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 Categories of Storage Devices

Method
of
Access

Random Sequential

go directly to the scan from the

needed information. beginning until it finds
Fast but expensive Ex:- the needed data. Slow
Hard Disk but cheap Ex:- Tape

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 Categories of Storage Devices

Use laser beams to read

information that has
been stored on the
reflective surface of a disc
Magnetic Optical Example:- CD
Relay on magnetic
field to read data
Example:-Hard desk

Magnetic vs Optical

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 Internal and External storage

• The most common magnetic storage

device installed in computers is a
hard drive.
• A storage device installed inside your
computer is called an internal storage
device. One that is positioned outside
your computer is referred to as an
external storage device. external storage device

Hard Disk Drive

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 Understanding Hard Drives

• Platters are a stack of metal disks Platters

inside the sealed container that

store information.
• A small, needle-like component,
called the read/write head, travels
back and forth across the surface
of each platter, retrieving and
storing data.

Head

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 Understanding Hard Drives

• Each platter is divided into tracks, or a set of circles on the surface of the
platter, on which the data is recorded.

Tracks
platter

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 Understanding Hard Drives

• A cylinder is the same track location on all the stacked platters.

• Each track is divided into segments, called sectors.

cylinder

sector Platter _1
Track_1

Platter _2

sector platter Track_1

Platter _3
Track_1

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 Limitations of Hard Drives

• The performance of your hard drive directly affects

how fast your computer works.
• It is measured by its access time, or the amount of
time it takes for the device to begin reading the data.
• Data transfer rate measures the speed of reading
information, or the number of bits of data the device
can transfer to memory or to another device in a
single second.

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 Alternative Storage Options

• Solid State Disks or drives, or

SSDs, are a mass storage device
similar to a hard disk drive.
• SSDs do not have any moving
parts, like the hard drive’s magnetic
platters; they store data using flash
memory.
• SSDs have better read
performance because the data
does not get fragmented into many
locations.

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 Optical Storage Devices
 Optical storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM
devices are easy to transport and can store large amounts of
information.
 Optical discs are made up of three layers.
 A laser sensor tool that reads information, is housed inside the
optical drive.
 The surface of an optical disc stores data as a series of lands
and pits.
• A land is a flat, reflective area on the surface of a disc.
• A pit is an indented area on the surface of a disc that
scatters the light from a laser’s sensor.

Optical storage media

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Capacities of common storage devices

Device Capacity
Internal hard drive 500 GB – 1 TB and more
External hard drive 500 GB – 8 TB and more
Flash memory 4 GB – 265 GB and more
CD-ROM 650 MB – 700 MB and more
DVD 9.5 GB and more
Blu-ray disc 25 GB and more

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 New and Future Technologies

• Cloud computing uses the Internet and

central remote servers to host data and

applications.

Cloud Computing
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 New and Future Technologies

• When physical storage is pooled from multiple

network storage devices into what seems to be

one single storage device managed from a central

console, it is called virtualization.

• Storage virtualization is usually used in a storage

area network (SAN), or a network of storage

devices that can be accessed by multiple

computers.

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 New and Future Technologies

• Microsoft OneDrive is cloud storage that you can access it from

anywhere.

• It helps to:

• Access and edit your files on all your devices.

• Share files and folders.

• The following slides explain the steps to access and use the cloud OneDrive

storage service (OneDrive) through Saudi Electronic University e-mail.

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 Sign in
OneDrive

1) Sign in with your SEU email account.

2) Access your office 365 apps.
3) Choose the (OneDrive) button. 3

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Interface
OneDrive

Toolbar

Display files
and folders

Use the OneDrive navigation pane, file list, and toolbar to view and work
with your files

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 OneDrive
Create a new

Create a folder
1. Select (New) then (Folder).
2. Type a name for the folder.
3. Select (Create).

Create a file
• Select (New) and choose the type of file.

All changes are automatically saved in the Office online

apps.

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 Toolbar
OneDrive
• When select any file a new toolbar will be displayed that include:
• Open. • Delete.
• Share. • Move to.
• Copy link. • Rename.
• Download.

Toolbar

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Share button
OneDrive

Select the file and choose the Share button

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Sharing Options
OneDrive

Give permission

Who will receive Link

Write a message

Copy Link or send it by email

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Sharing Options
OneDrive

Set link settings

THEN
copy link or send email

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