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By: James Walsh

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Majority of us use computers daily and extensively. Yet, how many of us have bothered to learn how computers work?

How does a Computer Work?

A computer has 5 units, Input, Output, CPU, Memory and Disk storage.

The input of information takes place using the mouse, keyboard and modem. This entered information can be perceived through the screen and printer (this is the output.). The central processing unit (CPU) processes whatever information is received. However, while working, the CPU requires a temporary storage device which it can access directly. This device is the Random Access Memory (RAM) and it contains volatile information. (Information that is lost when the computer is powered off is volatile information.)

The permanent memory storage device of the computer is the Read Only Memory (ROM) which stores non-volatile information that is not subject to change. This is also called secondary information for it is not directly accessed by the CPU. It takes a few thousandth of a second or millisecond to access information from the disk storage, whereas information from the RAM is accessed in nanoseconds. In other words, it takes longer to connect to information on the hard disks.

The tertiary storage contains large quantum of information that is rarely accessed. When particular information has to be obtained from the tertiary storage, a catalogue data base is first consulted. Once the tape or the disc that contains the information is identified, a robotic arm fetches it and places it in the drive. After the computer has read the information, the robotic arm replaces the device in its place.

Role of a Hard Disk in a Computer

The hard disk in a computer is different from other devices in respect of speed and size. It is fixed and cannot be removed from the desktop personal computer. This non-volatile storage device stores the information in a digitally encoded form on its high speed spinning magnetic platters. Hard drives contain large amounts of storage space ranging between 160 GB to 1 TB (terabyte).

It is vital that you create a backup for all the data that you have kept stored on your hard disk for, like everything else even hard disks have a limited life span. Any failure of the hard disk would eventually lead to a loss of information it contains. Hard disks can be affected by mechanical, logical, firmware or electronic problems.

  • If your hard disk has been damaged by a mechanical problem, you can identify such a problem by the strange noises that emanate from your computer. Never attempt data recovery using the ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) software on disks damaged thus.


  • However, you can use the data recovery software if your hard drive is subjected to a logical problem. Logical problem can range in severity. It might be a simple invalid entry in the FAT or it could be the severe fragmentation of the drive.


  • Data loss also occurs when the computer is not able to interact with your hard disk due to a problem in the firmware zone. You can retrieve data by rectifying the firmware zone.


  • Finally, electronic failures occur when the electric board of your hard drive is damaged.


Whatever be the problem, the net result is that you lose access to the data contained in your drive. To prevent data loss in such eventualities it is necessary you create a backup for all the vital data contained in the hard disk of your computer. You can create a backup by transferring important data to another computer.

Transferring of Data between Computers

One of the easiest manners of transferring data is via email. Alternately, you can also transfer data between two computers using the file transfer protocol (FTP). Such file transfers can occur if both the computers belong to you and both are connected to the internet. You must have an active account and password on both the computers. If the other computer you intend transferring the files to, does not belong to you, then you can transfer through a remote server. However, you must have an account on the remote server.

Computer problem and absence of data would bring to a standstill all our functions. It is necessary, therefore, that we create a regular backup of all the generated information.

Article Source: http://www.depositarticles.com

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

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