Figure 7. Drive Activity and Status Lights

Once information is saved to a floppy or Zip disk, it remains there until it is overwritten or erased, or the disk is formatted. Turning off the computer does not affect this data.

Using Hard Disks

Unlike a floppy disk, a hard disk (also called a fixed disk) is installed inside the computer and is not meant to be removed routinely. While the storage capacity of hard disks varies according to model, any hard disk holds much more than a floppy. Also, the computer reads and works with a hard disk more rapidly than with a floppy disk.

While the hard drive is searching for information, or storing information to the disk, the hard drive activity light on the front panel of the computer (Figure 7) is on.

Once information is stored on a hard disk, it remains there until it is overwritten. Turning off the computer does not affect the data.

For the First-Time User 15