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Chapter 6
Using Your Hard Disk
Depending on the model, your computer system can be
expanded to include an optional hard disk drive. This chapter
will give you a basic understanding of its operation and show
you how to configure it. Information is also provided on how
MS-DOS works with your hard disk drive.
What
is a Hard Disk Drive?
As mentioned in Chapter 5, “Using Floppy Disks,” your
computer uses an electronic memory array called RAM. This
memory is temporary and will only “remember” data as long as
the system power is on. When you turn off your computer, any
information stored in RAM is lost.
You have learned how to use floppy disks, or diskettes, to store
data and program files between computing sessions. It is more
convenient, however, to store your files on a hard disk drive.
The main reason for this is the speed of the hard disk drive.
Files are read off from the hard disk faster than from floppy
diskettes. Also, using a hard disk reduces the amount of time
spent inserting and removing diskettes from floppy disk drives.
A hard disk is very similar to a floppy disk. It is a plastic disk
that has been coated with a magnetic oxide. A hard disk will
store data indefinitely, until it is erased. Data is read from or
written onto a hard disk in the exactly same way as with a
floppy diskette.
There are differences between hard and floppy disks, though.
First of all, a hard disk is “non-removable.” Unlike a floppy
diskette, which can be taken out of its drive, the hard disk is
Using Your Hard Disk
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