Memory and Storage

Question 1

Where is Primary memory built inside and what advantage does it have

Answer 1

The computer. It can write data and read data fast because of this

Question 2

Is Ram Non-Volatile or Volatile - and what does this mean can data be

Answer 2

Volatile
Contents are lost when computer is switched off

Question 3

Is ROM non-volatile or volatile give an example what ROM can be used for

Answer 3

Non volatile
Contents are not lost when switched off. BIOS is stored in ROM

Question 4

What is Virtual Memory

Answer 4

The use of Secondary storage to hold Ram contents

Question 5

What is Transferring what is a disadvantage

Answer 5

When the Ram is full It transfers data into Virtual memory (Secondary storage) when it is needed again it is transferred back into the Ram. A disadvantage is that it makes the computer run slower

Question 6

Does an Embedded system need a secondary storage

Answer 6

No it does not

Question 7

Name the 3 Common types of Secondary storage and give an example for each

Answer 7

Magnetic - HDD
Optical-CD / DVD
Solid state - SSD

Question 8

How does a magnetic Drive work

Answer 8

Uses different levels of magnetic polarity

They use magnetic fields to magnetise a tiny section of a spinning disk each tiny section is called a bit a magnetised bit represents a 1 in binary demagnetised represents 0 a head can magnetises and demagnetises it also takes note of which bits are magnetised

Question 9

Advantages and disadvantages of magnetic drive.

Answer 9

Fairly cheap + Durable
A strong magnetic field may erase data

Question 10

How optical devices work and give advantage+Disadvantage

Answer 10

Uses different reflections of light

They use a laser to scan the surface of a spinning disk.
The disk has tracks on it each track has many flats and hollows. Flat areas are known as lands and hollows as pits. When the laser shines on the disc lands reflect light back whereas pits scatter the beam. A Sensor then looks at these light. lands represents 1 and pits represent 0

Reliable+Potable but low storage and not durable gets scratched easy

Question 11

How does the Solid state memory work name advantages and disadvantages

Answer 11

They use Ram (Non-volatile) they have much faster speeds than other types of devices no moving parts so durable However expensive

Question 12

What is Secondary storage

Answer 12

Large, Non-Violate memory

Question 13

What is an Overflow error

Answer 13

The result takes more Storage space than it is possible