A computer can have internal and external hard drives.
For a computer to function, it must have a hard drive in place. The internal hard drive is one of the key components of a computer, as it the device that allows for long-term data storage, ranging from operating systems to applications.
What Is a Hard Drive
A hard drive is a series of spinning metal disks that allows users to save or store information on a computer. It is considered the secondary memory of a computer, with a computer's random access memory (RAM) being the primary memory. The hard drive is the component where data is saved, even after a computer is powered off.
Basic Computer Functions
The hard drive allows a computer to start or "boot up." The operating system, such as Windows or Linux, is stored on the hard disk and launched when the computer is turned on. Without a hard drive, the computer would be unable to retain any information.
Hard Drive Types
A hard drive is the "brain" of a computer and facilitates the basic functionality of a computer (such as launching an internet browser or word-processing application). Because there are size limitations to the hard drive, external hard drives can be added to a computer to increase the space where files and applications can be stored.
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