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1.1 Storage as a library

Lesson

Practice lab

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Investigate

Recover a client presentation after a power cut

An account manager loses power while revising tomorrow's client presentation. The saved deck opens, but recent edits are missing. Review the recovery records, preserve usable versions, and verify a backup plan before closing the ticket.

Decision 1

After the restart

The presentation file opens from the SSD, but the last three unsaved slide edits are missing. The SSD passes the supplied health check. What explains the result?

Lesson notes

Storage retains saved files after shutdown. Capacity, access speed, and data protection solve different needs.

Storage keeps long-term data

Documents, photos, apps, games, and the operating system live on storage. RAM is active desk space. Storage is the library that keeps things when the workday ends.

  • Capacity means how much can be stored.
  • Speed affects booting, opening apps, and moving files.
  • Reliability habits protect the user data.

Why storage choices feel different

Moving from an old hard drive to an SSD often makes a computer feel much faster because the system can find small files quickly.

Worked example

Inputs: A school project is saved only to an internal SSD; the SSD fails.

Task: Identify the missing safeguard and a recoverable copy plan.

Check the reasoning

An independent backup is missing. Use a versioned separate destination and demonstrate restoring a sample file.

A synchronized deletion can propagate. Test restores and account for encryption recovery/privacy.

StorageRAMCPU
Storage supplies active data to RAM; the CPU executes instructions. Saving writes changes back to storage. Arrows represent data flow, not wiring.
Course terms
  • CPU / processor: The main chip that runs instructions for apps and the operating system.
  • Workload: The job the computer is doing, such as browsing, gaming, video editing, or running virtual machines.
  • RAM / memory: Temporary workspace the computer uses while it is on. It is different from long-term storage.
  • Motherboard: The main circuit board that lets computer parts connect and communicate.
  • Firmware / BIOS / UEFI: Startup instructions stored on the motherboard before the operating system loads.
  • Port: A connector users plug devices into from outside the computer.
  • Header: Pins on the motherboard used for case buttons, front USB, fans, audio, or lights.
  • PCIe: A high-speed connection used by graphics cards, storage, and other expansion cards.
  • SSD: A fast storage drive with no spinning disk inside.
  • HDD / hard drive: A storage drive that usually uses spinning disks and moving parts.
  • SATA: An older storage connection used by many hard drives and some SSDs.
  • NVMe: A fast storage communication method commonly used by modern M.2 SSDs.
  • Interface: The connection method a device uses to talk to the rest of the computer.
  • Endurance: How much writing an SSD is designed to handle over time.
  • Cloning: Copying one drive setup to another drive.

Storage installation and data migration support. Apply exact-model instructions.