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A compact disk and DVDs are designed to store computer data in the form of text and graphics, as well as hi-fi stereo sound. CD-ROM drives can also read audio compact discs for music, although CD players cannot read CD-ROM discs. A CD can store up to 74 minutes of music. To write onto a CD, there is a need for a CD-burner that will allow you to write onto the CD.In today's society, the use of DVDs are most commonly used for movies. Not only can the consumer select what scenes they would like to preview, but there is no rewinding necessary and DVDs are light and easy to store |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
How
much information can a standard DVD hold?
A standard DVD holds 4.7 gigabyte of information on
one of its two sides, or enough for a 133-minute movie. With two layers on each
of its two sides, it will hold up to 17 gigabytes of video, audio, or other
information.
How much
do DVDs cost?
For movies on
DVDs, the costs can run from anywhere between $10 to $30 respectively. For a
blank DVD to write information onto, a blank DVD averages around 70 cents each.
A DVD burner will cost you around $250, and it is possible to get a DVD burner
that will transfer VHS onto DVDs; these machines cost around $300.
How many
variations of CDs are there?
There are acouple
of different variations of CDs, each one is used for a different function.CD-ROMs
can store large amounts of information; generally used to distribute software
or multi-media for use on computers with CD-ROM drives. CD-ROM disks look just
like music CDs, and cannot be altered by a user.
CD-RW disc can
be written and erased many times. CD-RWs should not be used for longtime storgage
due their ablity to be written over. A CD-R are compact discs that can be written
once and read many times. Created using a CD-R Drive.
How much
do CD and CD burners cost?
Blank CD-RWs cost
about 29 cents each. A CD burner costs about $100 dollars each.
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A drive based on flexible media. The original floppy disks were 10 in. diameter. Later floppy drives were 5 1/4 in. in diameter. Both of these had flexible media and a flexible outer jacket. The current standard is a 3 1/2 inch floppy disk contained in a hard plastic case.Yet this not a hard drive. Its medium is still floppy. The current standard 3 1/2 floppy disk contains 1.44 MB of information. By default, the first floppy drive is designated A: |
Frequently
Asked Questions:
How do I write data onto
a floppy drive?
1. Insert a floppy disk into the floppy drive located on the tower next
to the computer. The drive is a long rectangular slot.
2. Go to File, and select Save As
3. Click in Save In and select 3 1/2 Floppy (A:)
4. Click on Save
Are floppy disks the
best way of saving information?
Floppy disks are
useful for saving documents. Floppy disks are easy to use and most computers
have floppy drives so you can bring your document anywhere and download it.
Important documents should not be saved on a floppy disk.They can be erased
and re-written on, this can be both good and bad. Floppy disks tend to be unreliable.
How much do floppy disks
and floppy drives cost?
External floppy
drives can cost anywhere from $7 to $40. A pack of 10 floppy disks cost around
$2.65.
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The main device a computer uses to permanently store and retrieve information. These drives are sealed boxes typically found inside the computer. Also called a "hard disk." It is a permanent data storage device built into all desktop PCs that permits you to save and retrieve information, and that stores the computer's operating system and other software. The size of a hard drive is usually expressed in gigabytes. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there any new techonology
concerning hard drives?
The world of hard drives are changing day to day. There are now portable
hard drives. They are ruggedly built, pocket-size, fairly affordable, versatile,
and convenient. Two of the better portable hard drives are the Iomega HDD and
the SmarkDisk Firelite. These portable hard drives are less than an inch thick,
and are 3.5 inches wide by 5 inches long. They can transfer up to 100 MB of
data from your computer. These portable hard drives cost anywhere from $200
to $350.
What happens if my hard
drive does not work?
Check the drive's power connection. If you have spare power connectors in
the system, try one of those to rule out that the one you are using is bad.
Check all connections. If you've playing inside there, its likely to be a bad
installation. Check the jumpers on the back.
What happens if the Hard
Drive won't boot, or it says C: drive failure insert boot disk
First of all, check for
error message on the screen and act upon what it says. Boot the system off a
floppy. Use your system disk. Then see if you can read anything off of the Hard
Drive. If so, the drive and controller are fine. Most likely, you have a damaged
boot sector, possibly caused by a electric surge. Recopy COMMAND.COM, AUTOEXEC.BAT,
and CONFIG.SYS, then retest. If you get the error message, there is a chance
your drive is dead or dying.
The Hard Drive and CD-ROM
seem to be working even when I am doing nothing.
To an extent, this is normal. Windows 95 has an auto-detect feature for CDs
in the CD-ROM. Sometimes this will cause Hard Drive activity. This can be disabled
if it bothers you. Also, be absolutely sure you don't have some operation set
up to operate behind the scenes. Windows also occasionally performs some operations
with the files.
When I run a scan disk
utility, it finds occasional errors.
This is normal. During normal operation of a PC, some files become corrupted.
A good disk scanner can usually fix the errors. If the errors seem excessive,
this could mean a more serious problem. Check for viruses. Also, make sure you
shut down Windows properly. Turning a system off from the desktop can mess things
up.
The Hard Drive seems
to have failed.
Sometimes, the Hard Drive seems to have failed completely. Either it is not
bootable, or it cannot be detected by the computer. If it is not auto-detectable
by the BIOS, it is likely a drive failure. If it is detectable, then the drive
is probably fine. Have you prepared the drive? A Hard Drive must be formatted
and partitioned before it can be used. If you get a specific error message,
base your troubleshooting on this information.
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The main circuit board inside a computer, containing the central processing unit, the bus, memory sockets, expansion slots, and more. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What importance is a
motherboard to a everyday computer user?
A everyday user does not come in contact with the motherboard. Since the
motherboard is located inside the computer, it is dangerous for an unexperianced
user to open the computer. The componets located in the motherboard are very
important and should be considered when buying a computer. A consumer should
always ask about the motherboard because the memory, BIOS (basic imput output
system), graphic card, sound cards and microprocessors arelocated on the motherboard.
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A disk drive developed by Iomega that uses 3.5–inch removable disks (Zip disks) capable of storing 100 megabytes of data. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Does a zip drive hold
more than a floppy drive?
Typical Zip Drives
will hold 100MB of information and can be used to back up critical files, or
keep confidential information on a separate disk.
A floppy drive can only hold 1.44 MB and are not as reliable
as zip drives. Zip drives are the better way to go over floppy drives.
If there is not a zip
drive built into the computer, can I still use a zip drive?
There are external zip drives that are available to buy, for a relatively good
price. External zip drives generally cost eighty dollars.
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The most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible |
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much RAM do you need
in your computer?
More RAM you have, the better. Since RAM is used
to run graphics or gaming, memory is useful and you will
be able to run games faster and better graphics. RAM also is used for word processsing,
internet and standard home applications. For a "normal"
computer user 32-MB of RAM is sufficent.
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A CPU is a Central Processing Unit. The main processing chip of a computer.It is the brains of the computer. The CPU interprets and executes the actual computing tasks. The part of the computer or computer system which performs core processing functions. The CPU is a chip that deciphers and initiates your commands. The CPU is the heart of the computer |
Frequently Asked Questions:
How
much does a new CPU cost?
A new CPU can cost anywhere around $70 dollars to over $1000
dollars. As the price increases the more high-tech and faster the CPU will be.
Why would one need a
new CPU?
Since the CPU is heart of the computer, the CPU controls functions from
playing an game to checking your e-mail to even broswing the web or editing
a word document. A new CPU will allow the computer to run faster and more efficiently.
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