Hardware Components

Computer storage devices take many forms and serve many different purposes. Some storage devices are versatile and fit many occasions while other storage devices have limited use. But all storage devices meet needs in certain situations.

Tape storage is perhaps one of the oldest and cheapest forms of storage. Data can only be accessed sequentially so this form of storage would not be ideal in cases where information needed to be accessed fast and often. Instead, tapes are most ideal as a way to back-up large amounts of data for organizations at an alternate location so that an organization will not have to start from scratch in case of a disaster (Stair 55).

Another common form of secondary storage is the hard disk drive. It is a fixed form of data storage with potential for high capacity at minimal costs. This makes it an ideal form of storage for desktop computers and laptop computers that can be priced within the budget of the average consumer.

Hard disk drives are related to floppy diskettes in that both forms of storage are types of magnetic disks. However there is a substantial difference between floppy disks and hard disks. Floppy disks have much smaller capacity and data access time is much slower than other forms of storage (Stair p55). Floppy disks are rarely used anymore, but one possible purpose would be in the transfer of small amounts data from one personal computer to another. Small personal documents or files that are stored on one computer can be saved to a floppy disk and then physically carried to another computer where the files are downloaded to the new computer's hard drive.

CD-ROM is becoming the popular replacement for floppy disks. CD-ROMs have about 500 times the capacity of a diskette and once data is written onto a CD-ROM, it cannot be changed (Stair p57). CD-ROMs are very ideal for either distributing new software applications, or creating back-up copies of critical desk top computer applications. Many home pc owners receive the new computer with applications already installed, but they also receive a CD-ROM copy of each software application so that if the system fails, applications are not lost and can be reinstalled.

RAM is probably the most unreliable means of storage. It is a temporary form of memory that is dependent

on the existence of electrical current. A user runs the risk of losing

all data in a file if the power were to cut off without the file first being saved to the hard drive (Stair p53). However, RAM can also benefit applications with complex graphics. A monitor's ability to display