I'm just interested, but as I'm only up to high-school-level science, please don't make it too complicated. I'd like to get to know the general idea, nothing too technical. Thanks a lot!
2006-08-28 06:47:20 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
high school level science answer
the way electronic storage memory works: all stored in what is called binary. this means ones and zeros only. by stacking enough ones and zeros you can make data. for example, the number 13 written in binary would be 1101 (the method is complex, you'll just have to take my word for it). this is done because capacitance only has two options, charged or uncharged thus the two options: one or zero.
A USB drive functions much the same way... you plug it into your computer via the USB port, often using what is known as hot plugging... the system is still running when you plug it in. the computer detects the drivers (software program needed to run the hardware) and installs them and the USB contains the necessary components to physically write the memory. your computer calculates what it wants to send the the USB drive based on your input and then uses the USB driver to interface with the thumb drive and send the information which is then written to the ROM memory. ROM memory is non volatile, which is why when you unplug it you don't lose everything you have on it.
To unplug a USB port you have to be careful or you will damage the drive. because the computer is actively interfacing with the drive, you need to execute the process to safely remove hardware. there will be a little icon with a green arrow in the bottom right (system tray) and you might need to expand they system tray to see it. double click on this and it will bring up the menu to safely stop any hardware plugged in. the rest is pretty obvious
2006-08-28 06:53:21 · answer #1 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋