1/4/2019 Basics of Computers Secondary Memory
BASICS OF COMPUTERS - SECONDARY MEMORY
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You know that processor memory, also known as primary memory, is expensive as well as limited. The faster
primary memory are also volatile. If we need to store large amount of data or programs permanently, we need
a cheaper and permanent memory. Such memory is called secondary memory. Here we will discuss
secondary memory devices that can be used to store large amount of data, audio, video and multimedia files.
Characteristics of Secondary Memory
These are some characteristics of secondary memory, which distinguish it from primary memory −
It is non-volatile, i.e. it retains data when power is switched off
It is large capacities to the tune of terabytes
It is cheaper as compared to primary memory
Depending on whether secondary memory device is part of CPU or not, there are two types of secondary
memory – fixed and removable.
Let us look at some of the secondary memory devices available.
Hard Disk Drive
Hard disk drive is made up of a series of circular disks called platters arranged one over the other almost ½
inches apart around a spindle. Disks are made of non-magnetic material like aluminum alloy and coated with
10-20 nm of magnetic material.
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1/4/2019 Basics of Computers Secondary Memory
Standard diameter of these disks is 14 inches and they rotate with speeds varying from 4200 rpm
rotationsperminute for personal computers to 15000 rpm for servers. Data is stored by magnetizing or
demagnetizing the magnetic coating. A magnetic reader arm is used to read data from and write data to the
disks. A typical modern HDD has capacity in terabytes T B.
CD Drive
CD stands for Compact Disk. CDs are circular disks that use optical rays, usually lasers, to read and write
data. They are very cheap as you can get 700 MB of storage space for less than a dollar. CDs are inserted in CD
drives built into CPU cabinet. They are portable as you can eject the drive, remove the CD and carry it with
you. There are three types of CDs −
CD-ROM C ompactDisk– ReadOnlyM emory − The data on these CDs are recorded by the
manufacturer. Proprietary Software, audio or video are released on CD-ROMs.
CD-R C ompactDisk– Recordable − Data can be written by the user once on the CD-R. It cannot be
deleted or modified later.
CD-RW C ompactDisk– Rewritable − Data can be written and deleted on these optical disks again and
again.
DVD Drive
DVD stands for Digital Video Display. DVD are optical devices that can store 15 times the data held by CDs.
They are usually used to store rich multimedia files that need high storage capacity. DVDs also come in three
varieties – read only, recordable and rewritable.
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Pen Drive
Pen drive is a portable memory device that uses solid state memory rather than magnetic fields or lasers to
record data. It uses a technology similar to RAM, except that it is nonvolatile. It is also called USB drive, key
drive or flash memory.
Blu Ray Disk
Blu Ray Disk BD is an optical storage media used to store high definition H D video and other multimedia
filed. BD uses shorter wavelength laser as compared to CD/DVD. This enables writing arm to focus more
tightly on the disk and hence pack in more data. BDs can store up to 128 GB data.
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