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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
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Storage Devices
If you need additional storage space or you want to back up your files, you
can add storage devices to you computer.
With a CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) drive, you can free up hard drive space by
backing up files, then removing them from your hard drive. The inexpensive
discs for CD-RW drives can hold as much as 700 MB of data. CD-RW drives
can write to either CD-R or CD-RW discs. You can write to CD-R discs just one
time. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times. For more
information, see “Creating CDs and DVDs” on page 100.
Iomega Zip drives, like diskette drives, use disks to store data. Zip disks can store
100 MB, 250 MB, or 750 MB of data. You can use a Zip drive to back up files
you do not use so you can remove them from your hard drive. Zip drives also
provide an easy way to transfer files between computers.
If you need to back up your entire system, you probably need a tape backup
(TBU) drive. TBU drives, like tape recorders, use magnetic tape cartridges to store
data. Tape drive cartridges can store 2 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, or even 130 GB or
more of data.
If you want to increase your internal storage space, replace your existing hard
drive with a larger drive. For more information, see “Replacing the hard drive”
on page 219.
Memory
Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of
memory. If your programs are running more slowly than you think they should,
try adding more memory. For more information, see “Installing or replacing
DIMM memory” on page 223.
Uninterruptible power supplies
A standby, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protects your computer from
data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your
computer running temporarily during a power failure so you can save your work
and shut down your computer correctly. A UPS also provides protection from
power surges. For more information, see “Setting up an uninterruptible power
supply” on page 154.