What are two reasons for installing a second hard disk drive inside an existing computer? (Choose two.)
- to support a RAID array
- to store BIOS configuration settings
- to store the system swap file
- to increase CPU speed
- to allow access to a secondary display output
The two correct reasons for installing a second hard disk drive inside an existing computer are:
- To support a RAID array
- To store the system swap file
Let’s explore these options in detail and understand why they are common reasons for adding a second hard drive, while the other options are not relevant for this purpose.
1. To Support a RAID Array
One of the primary reasons for installing a second hard disk drive is to create or expand a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) array. RAID is a data storage technology that combines multiple hard drives to achieve various goals such as redundancy, performance improvements, or both.
How RAID Works:
- RAID 0 (Striping): RAID 0 splits data across multiple drives, which can improve performance because data is read from and written to multiple disks simultaneously. However, RAID 0 does not provide redundancy, so if one drive fails, all data is lost.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): RAID 1 creates an exact copy of the data on a second drive, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the other drive still holds the complete data, offering protection against data loss.
- Other RAID Levels (e.g., RAID 5, RAID 10): More complex RAID configurations combine striping and mirroring or use parity to offer both performance improvements and redundancy.
Adding a second hard drive is essential to implement RAID in levels like RAID 0, RAID 1, or more complex configurations. RAID is commonly used in servers, workstations, and high-performance computers to ensure data integrity or increase read/write speeds.
2. To Store the System Swap File
A second reason to install a second hard drive is to move or expand the system swap file (page file). The swap file is a portion of the hard drive that the operating system uses as virtual memory when the physical RAM is full. By placing the swap file on a second hard drive, the system can potentially improve performance by reducing contention between the system’s regular storage activities and the paging operations.
Benefits of Moving the Swap File:
- Performance Improvement: If the main drive is heavily used for reading/writing data (such as loading applications or working with large files), moving the swap file to a second drive can help spread the workload. This reduces the strain on the primary drive and may lead to faster system performance, especially if the second drive is fast (e.g., an SSD).
- Increased Virtual Memory: Having a second drive allows users to increase the available space for the swap file, which can be helpful when working with memory-intensive applications, especially on systems with limited RAM.
3. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
To Store BIOS Configuration Settings
This option is incorrect because the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) configuration settings are not stored on a hard drive. Instead, BIOS settings are stored in non-volatile memory on the motherboard, often referred to as CMOS memory. This memory is powered by a small battery (the CMOS battery) and retains the system’s BIOS settings even when the computer is powered off. Adding a second hard drive does not affect where BIOS settings are stored.
To Increase CPU Speed
Adding a second hard drive will not increase the CPU (Central Processing Unit) speed. The CPU speed is determined by the processor’s architecture and clock speed, and it is unrelated to the storage configuration. Adding a second hard drive may improve overall system performance (e.g., faster data access or better multitasking), but it does not directly affect the CPU’s operating speed.
To Allow Access to a Secondary Display Output
This option is also incorrect because access to a secondary display output is managed by the computer’s graphics card (GPU), not the hard drive. Adding a second hard drive does not provide additional display output capabilities. If a user wants to connect a second monitor or enable multiple displays, they would need to use a graphics card with multiple output ports or add an additional graphics card.
Conclusion
The two correct reasons for installing a second hard disk drive inside an existing computer are:
- To support a RAID array: Adding a second hard drive allows for the creation of RAID configurations, which can improve data redundancy and/or performance.
- To store the system swap file: Moving the system swap file to a second hard drive can help improve system performance by reducing load on the primary drive and providing more virtual memory.
Other options, such as storing BIOS settings, increasing CPU speed, or enabling secondary display output, are not related to the functionality of installing a second hard drive.