CHAPTER 8

MEMORY & STORAGE DEVICES

1. What are two main types of memory?
Answer: The types of memory are:
i. Primary Memory
ii. Secondary Memory
2. Explain RAM. What are its types?
Answer: • Random Access Memory stores the information as well as the data when the computer
is on.
• It is volatile in nature which means that its contents are lost if the power to the computer
is switched off.
• It is also known as read/write memory because we can read the data inside it and we
can also make the changes to the data if required.
Types of RAM
DRAM
• DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM.
• Relatively slower and low-cost memory.
• Contents are constantly refreshed 1000 times per second
SRAM
• SRAM stands for static RAM.
• Characterized by high speed and high cost.
• More reliable than DRAM
• Doesn’t need to be refreshed like DRAM
3. Differentiate between
Answer: a. Volatile & Non-Volatile Memory

Volatile Memory Non-Volatile Memory

i. Data is present till power supply i. Data remains even after power
is present. supply is not present.
ii. Volatile memory data is not ii. Non-volatile memory data is
permanent. permanent.
iii. Volatile memory less storage iii. Non-Volatile memory like HDD
capacity. has very high storage capacity.
iv. RAM is an example of Volatile iv. ROM is an example of Non-
Memory. Volatile Memory.

b. RAM & ROM

RAM ROM

i. RAM is a volatile memory i. ROM is a non-volatile memory

which could store the data as which could retain the data even
long as the power is supplied. when power is turned off.

ii. Data stored in RAM can be ii. Data stored in ROM can only be
retrieved and altered. read.

iii. Costlier iii. Cheaper than RAM.

c. Primary & Secondary Memory

PRIMARY MEMORY SECONDARY MEMORY
i. Primary memory is used to i. It stores the data and information
store the data and instructions permanently from the temporary
in the computer temporarily. memory.
ii. The primary memory is ii. The secondary memory is always
categorized as volatile & non- a non-volatile memory.
volatile memories.
iii. These memories are also called iii. Secondary memory is known as a
internal memory. Backup memory or Additional
memory or Auxiliary memory.
 d. SRAM & DRAM

SRAM DRAM

i. SRAM is used for Cache i. DRAM is used for main memory

memory

ii. SRAM is costlier than DRAM. ii. DRAM cost is lesser compared
to SRAM.

iii. SRAM needs a constant power iii. DRAM requires reduced power
supply, which means it consumption.
consumes more power.

iv. SRAM has lower access time, iv. DRAM has a higher access
which is faster compared to time. It is slower than SRAM.
DRAM.
4. Which type of RAM is faster and why?
Answer: SRAM is typically faster than DRAM since it doesn't have refresh cycles.
5. Which type of RAM are used these days in our computers and why?
Answer: Nearly every computing-capable device need RAM. Take a look at your favourite device (e.g.
smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops, graphing calculators, HDTVs, handheld gaming
systems, etc.), and you should find some information about the RAM. Although all RAM
basically serves the same purpose, there are a few different types commonly in use today:
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
• Single Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDR SDRAM)
• Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4)
• Graphics Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (GDDR SDRAM, GDDR2,
GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5)
• Flash Memory
6. Can RAM be in GB? If yes, what is the advantage? If no, give reasons.
Answer: Yes, RAM can be in GB. The more RAM your CPU has access to, the easier its job becomes,
which enables a faster computer. If you do not have enough RAM then your CPU has to work
much harder to transfer data, which severally damages the computer's performance. Random
access memory also helps your system support software
7. I saved my document on the hard drive 5 minutes ago. I have continued to work. Where
is the latest copy of my work?
Answer: Random Access Memory or RAM is the memory which handles the storage of memory that is
required for the execution of the various actions of the computer. Whereas documents saved
are stored permanently in the hard disk. In this case, the document is stored in the RAM of
the computer currently, while the copy saved earlier lies in the hard drive of the computer.
8. Why is it necessary to use ROM in a computer?
Answer: It is necessary to use ROM in computer as it has inbuilt instructions/programs which are
required to boot the system.
9. Explain ROM. What are its types?
Answer: • ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
• The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This type of memory
is non-volatile.
• The information is stored permanently in such memories during manufacture.
• A ROM stores such instructions that are required to start a computer.
• This operation is referred to as bootstrap.
• ROM chips are not only used in the computer but also in other electronic items like
washing machine and microwave oven.
PROM
• PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
• PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user.
• The user buys a blank PROM and enters the desired contents using a PROM
program.
• It can be programmed only once and is not erasable.
 EPROM
(Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
• EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up to 40
minutes.
• Information can be re-written after removing the previous information.
• It is cheaper the PROM as it is re-usable.
EEPROM
(Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
• EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically.
• It can be erased and reprogrammed about ten thousand times.
• Both erasing and programming take about 4 to 10 ms (millisecond).
• In EEPROM, any location can be selectively erased and programmed.
• EEPROMs can be erased one byte at a time, rather than erasing the entire chip.
Hence, the process of reprogramming is flexible but slow.
10. Can there be any error in ROM?
Answer: Yes, there can be a possibility of this error which will indicate that your
computer BIOS ROM chip or Motherboard is physically bad.

11. Explain the working of the following:

Answer: a. Magnetic Tape
In magnetic tape only one side of the ribbon is used for storing data. It is sequential
memory which contains thin plastic ribbon to store data and coated by magnetic oxide.
Data read/write speed is slower because of sequential access. It is highly reliable which
requires magnetic tape drive writing and reading data.
b. Magnetic Disk Drive
A magnetic disk primarily consists of a rotating magnetic surface and a mechanical arm
that moves over it. The mechanical arm is used to read from and write to the disk. The
data on a magnetic disk is read and written using a magnetization process.
c. Pen Drive
The internal circuitry of the pen drive draws power from the computer for its operation.
They have an integrated USB interface to communicate with the computer. The
important parts of the pen drive are USB connector, crystal oscillator, memory chips
and a controller to interact with the PC.
d. Optical Disks
Optical storage, electronic storage medium that uses low-power laser beams to record
and retrieve digital (binary) data. In optical-storage technology, a laser beam encodes
digital data onto an optical, or laser, disk in the form of tiny pits arranged in concentric
tracks on the disk's surface.
12. A person who is always travelling from one place to another needs to carry data with
him. Which type of storage will he use and why?
Answer: He can either use External Hard Disk or Pen Drive.
• If you want a portable storage medium to transfer small files like documents, photos, etc. the
pen drive will be a good choice.
• The external hard disk has an edge over the USB flash drive considering the storage size to
price ratio. However, the external hard drive is significantly larger in physical size than pen
drive
13. What is the advantage of DVDs over CDs?
Answer: Main advantage of both CDs and DVDs are they offer simple yet safe way for backing up
important data without any expensive investments. CD and DVDs, also known as optical
discs, and are easy to carry around, and you can easily relocate them. CDs and DVDs are
one of the simple and cheapest way to protect your data from fire, theft and other local
accidents. Other external hard drives like flash memory cards and USB sticks also serve the
same purpose but they are very expensive as compared to CDs and DVDs
14. A school has to store data of all the students and teachers on a regular basis and also
wants to back up the same in case of any system failure. Which device would you
suggest and why? Explain its characteristics.
Answer: External Hard Disk can be used to back up the data.
Characteristics
• Large capacity with small size
• High data transmission speed
• Easy to use
EXTRA QUESTIONS
15. What is Computer Memory?
Answer: Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be processed and
instructions required for processing are stored.

16. What is Cache Memory? Give its advantages and disadvantages.

Answer: Cache memory is a very high-speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the CPU.
It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory.
It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the
CPU. The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk to cache memory by the
operating system, from where the CPU can access them.
Advantages
Cache memory is faster than main memory.
It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
It stores data for temporary use.
Disadvantages
Cache memory has limited capacity.
It is very expensive.
17. Write short notes on the following:
Answer: a. BLU-RAY DISK
• Supersedes DVDs
• It was developed for recording and playing back high-definition (HD) video and for
storing large amounts of data.
• While a CD can hold 700 MB of data and a basic DVD can hold 4.7 GB of data, a
single Blu-ray disc can hold up to 25 GB of data.

b. PEN DRIVE
• A pen drive, or a USB flash drive, is a portable data-storage device.
• Pen drives have replaced the floppy drives of old and have become the most popular
data-storage devices among consumers.
• It can be used to store graphics, documents, photos, music files and video clips.
• A pen drive is plugged into a USB port can be used as an interfacing device to transfer
files, documents and photos to a PC.

c. DAT DRIVE
• Short for Digital Audio Tape, is used for backing up information on a computer or
network.
• The best medium for both live taping and studio backup. In recent years, however, the
low cost and high quality of hard disk recording have made the DAT nearly obsolete.

d. MEMORY CARD
• A memory card is a type of storage device that is used for storing media and data
files.
• It provides a permanent and non-volatile medium to store data and files from the
attached device.
• Memory cards are commonly used in small, portable devices, such as cameras and
phones.