Computer Hardware: Hard Drive Fundamentals

Hard Drive Fundamentals

• Hard drives serve as the primary long-term storage on computers, utilizing magnetic disks called platters to store data as magnetic pulses.
• They store various files, including documents, applications, and the operating system (OS) used during booting.

Solid State Drives (SSDs)

• SSDs replace traditional hard drives, offering faster access times and increased reliability with no moving parts as they use flash memory.
• Generally more expensive than hard drives, SSDs are common in mobile devices and high-performance desktops and servers.

RAM Fundamentals

• Random Access Memory (RAM) acts as the main short-term storage for computers, providing faster data access compared to hard drives due to its lack of moving parts.
• The amount of RAM significantly impacts system performance; more RAM leads to better efficiency.
• RAM is volatile, meaning it loses its data when power is turned off, and is sometimes supplemented by virtual memory when insufficient.

BIOS/CMOS Fundamentals

• The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a chip on the motherboard containing instructions for the CPU upon powering on, including performing a power-on self-test (POST).
• BIOS allows access to the Setup utility for hardware configuration, which is then stored in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) memory.

Computer Boot Procedure

• Storage is categorized into two types: short-term (RAM) and long-term (hard drives).
• RAM is essential for efficient operations, acting as working storage, while longer-term storage retains data when powered down.

Virtual Memory

• Virtual memory allows a portion of disk storage to be utilized when there is not enough RAM, moving less frequently accessed data from RAM to disk when needed by the CPU.

Long-Term Storage

• Non-volatile storage maintains data even without power, including hard disks, CDs/DVDs, and USB flash drives.
• The amount of storage required depends on the types and quantity of files stored.

Personal Computer Hardware

• Four major components of a PC: the motherboard, hard drive, RAM, and BIOS/CMOS.

Computer Bus Fundamentals

• A bus is a collection of wires that transmits signals (data, address, or control) within the computer, connecting the CPU, RAM, disk drives, and expansion slots.

Types of Buses

• Data Bus: Transfers data signals between RAM and CPU, as well as input/output (I/O) devices.
• Address Bus: Carries signals indicating memory locations or ports/interfaces for devices.
• Control Bus: Transmits control signals (e.g., read/write instructions) from the CPU to memory or devices.

Difference Between Address Bus and Data Bus

• The data bus conveys the actual data to be stored, while the address bus indicates the location where this data should be stored.

Learn about the primary long-term storage component of a computer, including its components and functions. Understand how hard drives store data and applications, and how they compare to solid state drives.