U.S.T.H.

B / CEIL 2nd Year

Computer Science Faculty Unit 2

Storage Devices
Discuss.

1. How would you define a storage device?

2. What are the types of storage devices? Give examples.
3. How was information stored in the past?

1. Types of Storage Devices

A. ✍ Complete the definition with the appropriate words.
A storage device is any computing hardware that is used for storing, porting and extracting data
files and objects. It can hold and store information both temporarily and permanently, and can
be internal or external to a computer, server or any similar computing device.
A storage device may also be known as a storage medium or storage media.
They are one of the core components of any computing device. They store virtually all the data
and applications on a computer.
There are two different types of storage devices:
 Primary storage devices: Generally smaller in size, these are designed to hold data temporarily
and are internal to the computer. They have the fastest data access speed, and include RAM
and cache memory.
 Secondary storage devices: These usually have large storage capacity, and they store data
permanently. They can be either internal or external to the computer, and they include the
hard disk, optical disk drive and USB storage device.

B. ✍ Label the following devices.

USB Drive Floppy Disk SSD

RAM Card Memory Card Hard Drive

 Optical Drive / Compact Disk Tape Drive

2.The Hard Drive

A. Read the text and say if the statements are True, False or Not mentioned.

What is a Hard Drive?

The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage hardware device in a
computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files are stored in the hard
disk drive.

The hard drive is sometimes referred to as the "C drive" due to the fact that Microsoft
Windows, by default, designates the "C" drive letter to the primary partition on the primary
hard drive in a computer. While this is not a technically correct term to use, it is still common.
For example, some computers have multiple drive letters (e.g., C, D, and E) representing areas
across one or more hard drives. The hard disk drive also goes by the name HDD (its
abbreviation), hard drive, fixed disk, and fixed disk drive. Regardless of what it is called, the
primary hard drive typically contains the root folder of the operating system used.

Physical Characteristics.

A hard drive is usually the size of a paperback book, but much heavier. The sides of the hard
drive have pre-drilled, threaded holes for easy mounting in the 3.5-inch drive bay in
the computer case. Mounting is also possible in a larger 5.25-inch drive bay with an adapter.
The hard drive is mounted so the end with the connections faces inside the computer.

The back end of the hard drive contains a port for a cable that connects to the motherboard.
The type of cable used (SATA or PATA) depends on the type of drive.

How it works?

Most hard drives also have jumper settings on the back end that define how the motherboard
is to recognize the drive when more than one is present, these settings vary from drive to
drive. Unlike volatile storage like RAM, a hard drive keeps a hold of its data even when
powered off. This is why you can restart a computer, which powers down the HDD, but still
have access to all the data when it is back on. Inside the hard drive are sectors located on
tracks, which are stored on rotating platters. These platters have magnetic heads that move
with an actuator arm to read and write data to the drive.

Kinds of Hard Drives.

The computer hard drive is not the only kind of hard drive, and SATA and PATA are not the
only ways they can connect to a computer. What is more is that there are many different sizes
of hard drives, some very small and others rather large. For example, the common flash
drive has a hard drive, too, but it does not spin like a traditional hard drive. Flash drives
have solid state drives built-in and connect to the computer through USB. There are also
hybrids called SSHDs.

Storage Capacity.

The hard disk drive capacity is a huge factor in determining whether someone will buy a
particular device like a laptop or phone. If the storage capacity is rather small, it means it will
fill up with files faster, whereas a drive that has lots and lots of storage can handle much more
data.

Choosing a hard drive based on how much storage it can retain is really up to opinion and
circumstance. If you need a tablet, for example, that can hold lots of videos; you will want to
be sure to get the 64 GB one instead of the 8 GB one. The same is true for computer hard
drives. Are you one to store lots of HD videos or pictures, or are most of your files backed up
online? An offline, at-home storage preference might drive you to buy an internal or external
hard drive that supports 4 TB versus a 500 GB one.

Common Hard Drive Tasks.

One simple task that you can do with a hard drive is change the drive letter. Doing this lets
you refer to the drive using a different letter. For example, while the main hard drive is
normally called the "C" drive and cannot be changed, you might want to change an external
hard drive's letter from "P" to "L».

Something else that is really easy to do with a hard drive is check how much free space is left
on it. This is especially important if you are getting low disk space messages but is equally
critical for maintaining a smooth system. You can uninstall programs you do not want or ones
that are too large, and delete files, or copy them elsewhere, if you are running low on hard
drive space.

You need to format the drive or partition the drive into sections before you can install an
operating system or store files. Upon installing the OS for the first time is usually when a new
hard drive is formatted and given a file system. Otherwise, a disk partition tool is a common
way to manipulate the drive in this way. When you are dealing with a fragmented hard
drive, free defrag tools are available that can help reduce the fragmentation. Defragging a
hard drive can sometimes make your computer run faster.
Since a hard drive is where all the data in a computer is actually stored, it is a common task to
want to securely erase the data from the drive, like before selling the hardware or reinstalling
a new operating system. This is usually accomplished with a data destruction program.

On the opposite end, you can protect your hard drive data with a disk encryption program.
Only after a specific password is entered will the data be decrypted and readable/usable.

1. There’s a cable that connects to the motherboard in the front of the hard disk. False (back)
2. Lots of free programs can test a hard drive. Not mentioned
3. People usually choose a hard drive for its storage capacity. True
4. The back jumper settings define how the drive is recognized when more than one is present.
True
5. It is difficult to copy or delete files and programs from the disk drive. False
6. When a hard drive is formatted your computer can run faster. True ( when defragged)

B. Put the headings below in the text above.

a. Physical Characteristics.
b. How it works?
c. Common Hard Drive Tasks.
d. Kinds of Hard Drives.
e. What is a Hard Drive?
f. Storage Capacity.
C. Find words in the text that go with these definitions.
1. A conversion of something (such as data) into a code or cipher = encryption
2. The arrangement or assemblage for use or display = mounting
3. A mechanical device for moving or controlling something = actuator
4. Moving in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a
common axis = Rotating
5. Having related or associated pieces of stored data disorganized in a way that makes them more
difficult to access = fragmented
6. The action or process of ruining or wasting something = destruction
7. To reorganize separated fragments of related data on a computer disk into a contiguous
arrangement = defrag
8. Characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change = volatile

3 Buying a portable hard drive

A Anna is in a computer shop to buy a new hard drive. Read and complete her
conversation with the sales assistant with words.
sales assistant: Can I help you with anything?
Anna: Yes, please. I need a new (1) ……HARD……drive.
Sales assistant: Ok. Are you looking for an internal drive or an (2) …EXTERNAL……. one?
Anna: Well, I need it for moving files between home and work.
Sales assistant: Sure. Well, you’ve basically got two options. If you need a lot of (3) …CAPACITY..…
 or secondary (4) …STORAGE., then you could try this Lenovo external drive. It (5) …..HOLDS…1TB.
That’s probably enough to (6) ……BACK UP… your whole computer many times over. You’d
probably have lots of space left for archiving any files that you don’t need on a day-to-day
basis. This one’s $188.
Anna: That’s a little expensive, to be honest. And I probably don’t need 1TB. My home
computer only has a 120GB drive! And it looks a bit heavy to carry around.
Sales assistant: In that case, you need something more (7) ……PORTABLE….. . This might be
what you’re looking for: the ATMT HD160 Ultra-Portable. It’s only 20GB, but it’s light and
relatively cheap – only $80.
Anna: That sounds perfect. I’ll take it. Is it already (8) ……FORMATTED……..?
Sales assistant: Yes, it’s all ready to use. Just bear a couple of things in mind if you’re carrying it
between home and work a lot. Inside the drive there is a stack of metal (9) ……PLATTERS…… that
are used to store the information. (10) ……DON’T….. move the disk while the platters are
spinning - you’ll be able to hear them – or the drive could suffer a (11) ……HEAD CRASH……… .
That’s when the (12) …………READ-WRITE….…… head touches the disk surface.
Anna: Right, OK. Anything else I need to know?
Sales assistant: Just a couple of things. You (13) …… SHOULDN’T … unplug the drive without using
the ‘Remove hardware’ command first. And you (14) …… SHOULD ………. check the drive regularly
for
viruses, especially if you’re moving it between machines.
Anna: OK, well thanks for all your help. Now where do I go to pay?

4 Language work: Questions

Ask questions on the words and phrases underlined in the conversation.

1 …Who needs a hard drive ?...

2 …What does Anna need?...

3 …Why does Anna need a hard drive?…..

4 …How many options are there?…..

5 …What type of hard drive can she try?.../ ..Which hard drive holds 1TB?..

6 …How much information does it hold? / What is the storage capacity of the ….?...….

7 …How much does it cost?…..

8 …Where is information stored?…….

9 ….When don’t you have to move the disk?

10 ….How often should you check the hard drive for viruses?...

B Complete the following conversation about a job interview with the missing
 questions.
What’s the conversation about?

Lintel is a computer chip manufacturing company that currently has a job opening in its Finance
department. John Miller is the first applicant to be interviewed by Lintel’s finance manager Mike Gates.

Mike: Good morning, John. I am Mike.

John: Good morning.

Mike: ……How are you doing….?

John: I am doing fine. Thank you.

Mike: ……How was the traffic coming over here……?

John: Am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No traffic jam and no accidents.

Mike: That is good. John, let’s start the interview. ……Are you ready…?

John: Yes, I am.

Mike: First of all let me properly introduce myself. I am the Finance Department Manager. As you
know an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as possible.

John: Please, …tell me a little about the position….. .

Mike: It’s an entry-level position. The new employee will have to work closely with Accounting
department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis.

John: ……What type of qualification do you require …………?

Mike: I require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience will be helpful.

John: ……What kind of experience are you looking for…..?

Mike: Doing office work is good. However, since this is an entry-level position, I do not require a lot of
experience. I am willing to train the new person.

John: That’s great!

Mike: John, …tell me a little about yourself……..?

John: I was a student at West Coast University, and I just graduated with a Bachelor degree in
Finance. I have been working part-time as a payroll clerk for the last two years.

Mike:…What are you looking for in a job……..?

John: The job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of Finance theories at
school and now it’s time for me to put them into practice.

Mike: ……Anything else…..?

John: I also hope that it will help me grow in my field.

Mike:…What are your strengths…….? …Why should I hire you……..?

John: I am a hard-working person and fast learner. I am very eager to learn, and I get along fine with
people.
Mike: OK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, …Do
you……?

John: No, I do not.

Mike:……Can you handle pressure………?

John: Yes, I can. When I was going to school I took quite few courses each semester while working at
least twenty hours every week. And I handled that situation very well.

Mike:……Do you still have questions for me…….?

John: I think I have a pretty good understanding of the job. i believe i can handle it with ease, and I
hope to have the opportunity to work for you.

Mike: John, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming.

John: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me.

5 Cloud Storage
Complete the following passage with words from the box.

external decryption remotely server upload encryption space backup

network retrieve using to download credentials input uploaded managing online

Access your data from anywhere using cloud storage

Cloud storage is a term that refers to online 1…space…… that you can use to store your data.

As well as keeping a 2…backup…. of your files on physical storage devices such

as 3……external…….hard drives or USB flash drives, cloud storage provides a secure way to

4…remotely…..store your important data. Online storage solutions are usually provided using a

large 5…network….of virtual servers that come with tools for 6 …managing.. files and organizing your

virtual storage space.

The simplest type of cloud storage occurs when users 7…upload..…..files and folders on their

computers or mobile devices to an internet server. The 8……uploaded………files serve as a backup

in case the original files are damaged or lost. Using a cloud server permits the user

9……to download…..files to other devices when needed. The files are typically protected by

10……encryption…..and are accessed by the user with login 11…credentials……and

password. The files are always available to the user, as long as the user has an internet connection to

view or 12…retrieve….them.

6 Optical disc vs. magnetic disk

Using the information in the chart, write sentences comparing and contrasting optical
discs and magnetic disks .

Optical disc Magnetic disk

General Definition Devices that store information on

the computer and on the system.
It comes in a round and flat shape
and rotates along the axis.
Differentiation Uses laser tools to store and read
information
Devices that store information
on the computer and on the
system.
It comes in a round and flat
shape and rotates along the
axis.
Uses magnetization process.

Working A laser is used to read the The mechanical arm becomes

information stored in the dots.
The information is converted into
a signal of electricity that gave an
audio or visual output
Space 27 GB maximum
the primary tool that uses the
handle to read data from the
device and write data to the
disk.
Several hundred GBs

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