• Computer storage is where information is encoded so that the processor and other components can access that information. But there are two major types of memory storage that computers use and they are very different from each other. One type is what is sometimes called internal memory and a good example is RAM (Random Access Memory). The other type are hard drives both internal and external, CD-ROMs and zip drives.
  
  

Internal Memory

• On each motherboard are slots where long "sticks" of memory can be inserted. These sticks are called RAM, standing for Random Access Memory. This type of memory only contains data while they have power, meaning they are volatile. This only means that their ability to store information is dependent upon them continually receiving power from the motherboard. When the computer is shut down or turned off, the information that RAM stores disappears. This is the working memory of the computer and what the computer is doing at any given moment is stored in the internal memory.
  
  

Auxiliary Memory

• The primary type of auxiliary memory is the hard drive. Unlike RAM, the hard drive will keep the information intact whether there is power or not. These are intended as long-term storage devices. It is where the operating system, music, pictures, applications and other things are stored.
  
  

Other kinds of auxiliary storage.

• In addition to hard drives, there are other forms of storage that are considered auxiliary or secondary to the internal memory. Floppy discs, CD-ROM's and USB "thumb" drives all count as auxiliary memory to you computer. Their ability to be moved around means that they often count as auxiliary memory to more than one computer.