Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Chapter 3 ( Storage devices and Media)

➢ The two most common devices that use these magnetic

properties to store data are magnetic tape drives and
hard disk drives (HDD).
Magnetic tape drives
They are read from or written to by a read/write head in a
magnetic tape storage device. The data is stored as a
magnetized area (which represents a 1) or demagnetized area (which
represents a 0). Data is read from the tape using serial access. This type
of storage is useless in real-time or online applications (due to the very
slow data access speeds) and is best suited to offline or batch
processing.
Uses:
• Due to their vast storage capacity, magnetic tapes are still used on
large industrial or university computers.
• Use in applications where batch processing is used (for example,
clearing bank cheques, utility billing (gas, electricity, water).
• Used as a backup media where vast amounts of data need to be
stored.
Advantages
• They are generally less expensive
• It is a very robust technology
• They have a huge data storage capacity
• Used as backup device to prevent loss of data
• The data transfer rate is actually fast.

1
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Disadvantages
• Very slow data access times
• When updating, another tape is needed to store the final updated
version.
• They are affected by magnetic fields like corruption of data can
occur.
Note: Data transfer rate is the rate at which data can be sent from a
storage device to a computer (or vice versa).
Magnetic medium which can only be used for serial access is called
magnetic tape
Data access time is the time it takes to locate specific data stored on
the storage media.
Note:
Batch processing: Collection of data in batches and handing it over to
the computer to be processed in one go like utility bills. For example
electricity meter units of all the people in that block will be collected on
batches and then computer processes the data in one go. Another
example is payroll, like teachers go to school and their time is counted
in batches and the salary is decided on the number of hours. Then the
computer processes the data all in one go.
Hard disk drives (HDD)

2
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Serial Access: In it data can only be read in the same order that it was
written to find the required data.
Direct Access: In it all data does not have to be read first before the
required data is found.
Fixed Hard Disk Drives(internal storage)
Uses
• To store the operating system, systems software and working
data/files.
• Storing applications software.
• Used in real-time systems (for example, robots, control of a
chemical plant) and in online systems (for example, booking
airline tickets, automatic stock control (using EPOS)).
• Used in file servers for computer networks.
Advantages
• They have a very fast data transfer rate and fast access times to
data.
• They have very large memory capacities.
Disadvantages
• They can be fairly easily damaged (for example, if the correct
shut-down procedure on a computer has not been correctly
carried out, it is possible to sustain a head crash).
• They lack portability
• Their read/write operation can be quite noisy
• The effects of latency can cause delay in data access speed
(Latency is defined as the time it takes for a specific block of data
on a data track to rotate around to the read/write head).

3
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Portable hard disk drives(external)

Portable hard disk drives are HDDs external to the computer and can be
connected to the computer using one of the USB ports.
Advantages
• The data access time and data transfer rate are very fast.
• They have a large memory capacity.
• They can be used as a method of transferring information
(data/files etc) between computers.
• They can be used as backup systems to prevent loss of data.
• Portable
Disadvantages
• They can be easily damaged if the user accidentally drops it or
does not correctly shut down the drive after use.
• Data transfer rate is not as fast.
Optical Media and Optical Storage Devices
CD/DVD optical disks
Note: CDs store lower quality files
Uses of CD-R and DVD-R
• Home recordings of music (CD-R) and films (DVD-R).
• Used to store data to be kept for later use or to be transferred to
another computer.
Advantages of CD-R and DVD-R
• Cheaper medium than RW disks.
• Once burned (and finalised) they behave like a ROM.

4
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Disadvantages of CD-R and DVD-R

• Can only be recorded once; if an error occurs then the disk has to
be thrown away.
• Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-R/DVD-R.
Uses of CD-RW/DVD-RW (external storage)
• Used to record television programmes which can be recorded
over, time and time again.
• Used in CCTV systems.
• Can be used as a backup device for files and data.
Advantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW
• Can be written over many times.
• Can use different file formats each time it is used.
• Not as wasteful as R format because the files/data can be added
at a later stage.
Disadvantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW
• Can be relatively expensive media.
• Possible to accidentally overwrite data.

Uses of CD-ROM/dvd-Rom
• These optical disks are read-only memory (ROM) which means
they cannot be written over and can only be read. They are a
permanent method of data storage.
• CD-ROM is used to store music file, software, computer games
etc.
• CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs are used in applications where there is
a real need to prevent the deletion or overwriting of important
data.
5
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Advantages of CD-ROM/dvd-Rom
• They are less expensive than hard disk drive systems.
• DVD-ROM has much larger storage
Disadvantages of CD-ROM/dvd-Rom
• The data transfer rate/data access time is slower than for hard
disks.
Blu-ray discs
Blu-ray discs are another example of optical storage media.
Blu-ray discs are read from or written to using a Blu-ray
optical storage device.
The main differences between DVD and Blu-ray are:
• A blue laser, rather than a red laser, is used to carry out Blu-ray
read and write operations which has shorter wavelength.
• Blu-ray can store up to five times more data than normal DVD.
• Blu-ray disks automatically come with a secure encryption system
which helps to prevent piracy and copyright infringement.
• The data transfer rate for a DVD is low for a Blu-ray disc

➢ Blu-ray devices allow greater interactivity than DVD devices. For

example with Blu-ray, it is possible to:
‒ Record high definition television programmes
‒ Skip quickly to any part of the disc
‒ Create playlists of recorded movies and television programmes
‒ Edit or re-order programmes recorded on the disc
‒ Automatically search for empty space on the disc to avoid over-
recording

6
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

‒ Access websites and download subtitles and other interesting

features.
Uses of Blu-ray discs
• Home video consoles.
• Storing and playing back movies
• Computers can use this technology for data storage or backing up
hard drives.
• Camcorders can use this media (in cartridge form) to store
movies.
Advantages of Blu-ray discs
• Very large storage capacity, therefore ideal for storing high
definition movies.
• Very fast data transfer rate.
• The data access speed is also fast
• Blu-ray discs automatically come with a secure encryption system,
which helps to prevent piracy and copyright infringement.
Disadvantages of Blu-ray discs
• Relatively expensive discs.
• Encryption problems (which are used to stop piracy) when used to
store video.
• Introduction of HD (high definition) DVD players has reduced the
advantages of using Blu-ray disc technology.
Solid-state drives (SSD)
SSDs are rapidly taking over from HDDs as the main type of backing
storage. It is solid state technology.
Uses
7
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

• Used as a storage device to store files, applications, operating

system, and so on.
Note: Advantages have been done in chapter 1
Disadvantages of SSds
• Longevity of the technology (although this is becoming less of an
issue).
• It has short SSD endurance
Pen drives
Pen drives (memory sticks) are small portable devices that make use
of solid-state technology. They connect to the computer through a USB
port. Pen drives are examples of USB flash drives which draw their
power from the computer via the USB connection.
Uses of memory sticks/pen drives/flash drive
• Transporting files between computers or using as a backing store.
• Used as a security device to prevent software piracy (known as a
dongle).
• Used as a backup device in order to prevent loss of data
Advantages of memory sticks/pen drives
• Very portable media.
• Very robust.
• Does not need additional software to work on most computers.
• They are not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages of memory sticks/pen drives
• Cannot write protect the data/files by making it ‘read-only’.
• Easy to lose (due to the small physical size).

8
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

• The user needs to be very careful when removing a memory stick

from a computer
• It can be easily stolen

Memory cards
A memory card makes use of solid-state technology. They can be
inserted into a device which can read the card or allow data to be
written to the card. The cards come in various memory sizes. There are
many available memory card formats, for example:
• XD cards (extreme digital card): The XD card is a type of
removable memory card designed for use in digital cameras. They
can be written to or read from the camera or other suitable XD
card reader (the card readers can often be attached to a
computer to allow the memory card to be read directly).
• SD cards (secure digital card): The SD card is a type of very small
card with a very high-capacity memory. SD cards are primarily
used in portable devices such as digital video recorders, digital
cameras, audio players, smartphones and tablets.
• CFast card (compact fast card): A CFast card is a type of card
which was developed to allow solid-state technology to be used in
a very small portable device. It has no moving mechanical parts
and does not need a battery to retain data. CFast cards are
primarily used as removable memory for digital photo and video
cameras.
9
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

Uses of memory cards

• Storing photos on digital cameras.
• Used as mobile phone memory cards.
• Used in MP3 players to store music files.
• Used as a backing store in computer devices.
Advantages of memory cards
• Very compact – can be easily removed and used in another device
or for transferring photos directly to a computer or printer.
• Because they are solid-state memories (and have no moving
parts) they are very durable.
• Have large storage capacity
Disadvantages of memory cards
• Expensive when compared to hard disk drives.
• Have a lower storage capacity than hard disks.
• Have a finite life regarding number of times they can be read from
or written to.
• Memory cards are the smallest storage devices available; this
means they are more likely to be lost or stolen
• Not all computers come with memory card readers built in; users
will often be required to purchase a card reader or USB converter
to view the data on a memory card.
Different ways in which music is stored:
• On hard disk drive systems
• In MP3 format on:
‒ A computer/tablet
‒ Their mobile/smartphone
‒ A portable music player (like iPod)
10
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

• Using the cloud to store all their files so they can access their
music from anywhere in the world
• By streaming their music from the internet
Describe 2 error messages obtained from CD-R or pen drive when
saving work
Ans: 1- Device not recognized
2- Virus found in the file
Tell the advantages and disadvantages of streaming files rather than
using other methods(like downloading or purchasing a physical copy
of the files)
Advantages:
1- Physical copy could be lost but streamed files are always available
2- There is no need for physical storage space
3- Don’t have to wait for the whole large file to be downloaded
before viewing
Disadvantages:
1-Needs connection to the internet
2- can never obtain the physical copy of the file
3-Playing back is dependent over the internet connection therefore
may not be of the good quality
Compare and contrast CD-R with pen drive
Contrast
1-Both are portable
2-Both are storage devices
Compare
11
Compiled by: Fatima Rizwan

1-Pen drives are smaller so they can be more easily lost than CD-R
2-Pen drives are solid state storage devices where as CD-R are
optical storage devices
3-Not every computes has CD drive but most of the computers have
a USB port
Compare and contrast solid state storage with optical storage to store
data
Contrast:
1-Both are backing storage devices
2-Both can be easily lost/stolen
3-Both are portable
4-Both are used to store data/files like photos, music, videos etc
Compare:
1- Optical storage devices such as DVDs, CDs and Blue ray discs are
read from and written to using a laser beam whereas solid state
storage devices such as flash memory, memory cards, SSDs are
read from and written to using semiconductor chips.
2- Optical discs have slower data axcess and transfer rate as
compared to solid state storage devices
3- Solid state consume less power than optical storage devices
In conclusion, solid state storage devices are much better as they are
modern technology.

12