Forgive my ignorance but im having a bit of trouble with my hard drive,are they absolutly needed in modern computers with the advances in chips ect,or are they just another consumable item the companies want us to spend our cash on.
2006-10-02 02:10:52 · 15 answers · asked by Francis7 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Yes they are needed to store the operating system on etc.
2006-10-02 02:12:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your hard drive is where your software is stored. RAM is "random access" - it only stores information as long as the computer is on, and it only stores it briefly -so that you can access it more quickly as you use the programs.
A hard drive is where the data is stored. Data you save is written to the hard drive. The operating system is also located on your hard drive.
Now, today, you can get a lot of hard drive for a little money.
Before you go out and spend that money, however, you might want to purchase some software (I prefer Norton System Works) to see whether or not your hard drive is really bad - or if it just needs to be cleaned up (maintained).
Is it making a noise? Usually when a hard drive "crashes", it makes a "clanking" noise that is quite audible. This is the platters in the drive banging together.
Or, it may make a loud griding noise, which means that the bearings are out.
If it is not doing these sort of things - just performing poorly, a utility to help you clean up the drive may be helpful. It may extend the life of the hardware currently in the computer, and it will help when you have to replace hardware - as it will assist you in maintaining the new hardware as well.
Bottom line - even if you have to purchase a new hard drive, the software purchase (approx. $60.00 - minus any rebates) is worth the cost.
Please realize that, if you have to purchase a new hard drive, the OS is NOT on it! You will have to install an operating system, get all your old programs back on it, and - if you don't have any data backups of software/programs/data you want to keep - you've got to find a way to transfer it from the old drive to the new drive.
There is a lot involved, but - if it's gotta be done, it's gotta be done!
2006-10-02 09:18:25 · answer #2 · answered by gatesfam@swbell.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard drives are a must. That's where you will store you data, operating system (e.g. Windows), etc.
Think about having 2 drives: 1 for your operating system, 1 for your personnal files. They will appear as seperate letters in Window (C: and D: for example). This way, if the operating system needs to be reinstalled, you won't affect your data.
Note that you can use USB key drives to store personnal information too. They're getting quite large, so they become interesting (4 Gb and over).
Also note that a new memory hard drive is coming out in the next few years. This is a special kind of memory that doesn't erase when the power is turned off, so it acts like a hard drive. However, it will be much faster than a hard drive with no mechanical components to break down.
2006-10-02 09:21:02 · answer #3 · answered by Bernz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
harddrives are simple things, u do not really need more than 1 these days for a simple computer.
so no need to buy another if u don't need or if u do not want to back-up
But what happens is the computer loads up via the BOS setting with in the motherboard etc and then connects to the harddrive where the operating system (such as windows) will load up, windows is stored on the hardrive.
When u open files tec, all the information is stored on your hard drive.
Thats it
2006-10-06 07:50:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you absolutely need a hard drive. thats were the operating system is stored. the BIOS chip will boot up the computer, but if you dont have a hard drive then nothing will load. you need one to store files and programs anyway.
2006-10-02 09:29:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its technically possible to have a working computer without a hard drive. In practice though, for a home user, you need a hard drive.
2006-10-02 09:20:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your computer crashes and your hard drive squeeks and explodes every time you write a cd or print an A4 , then , yes, you
definitely may call it a consumable.
2006-10-02 09:15:55 · answer #7 · answered by volksbank 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you press the on button de keybrd and other things blink this is call booting of the sys
after this the program loaded(os) in your hard will load to the memory(RAM) \& work for u.
Thus os keeps running until u shut it down.
It is possible to run without hard those concepts are applied on livecd's google for it if youre interested.
basically u need hard for storing movies and your operating sys. xp ,lin etc...
2006-10-02 09:18:32 · answer #8 · answered by iWasCoolOnce 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the processor is the brain of a computer,the hard drive is the body.They compliment each other and are infact inseparable.
2006-10-02 11:32:31 · answer #9 · answered by drunkdriver38 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are needed alot mate, without one we would have nowhere to install the OS, games, download music to, play movies on, etc...
one could argue that they can all be ran from flash cards etc, but flash cards arent built to withstand constand data transfer, liek the HDD is, and as such wouldnt last too long.
hope this helps
2006-10-02 09:14:04 · answer #10 · answered by Goodall 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋