Storage media are used to keep data when a computer is switched off. Data is read from or written to a storage medium by a drive.
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| Popular Storage Media |
| Storage Medium |
Details |
| Hard Disk |
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Hard drives can hold a lot of data and are usually fixed inside a computer. Information is stored on a magnetic coating on the surface of the disk. This is where the programs are kept on your computer. |
| Flash Memory |
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Flash memory is very small but can store a lot of data. For this reason it is often found in digital cameras and in USB flash drives which are used to move data from one computer to another. |
| Optical Disk |
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Data is recorded onto an optical disc using a laser beam. The two types of optical disk are:
- CDs - these are useful for storing lots of photographs or music on.
- DVDs - these can hold over six times more data than a CD and are useful for storing films on.
Data on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM cannot be changed but data on a CD-RW or DVD-RW can be changed.
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