including cache and current performance of components e.g. processor types and speed~ :]

Computers store data magnitically like Floppy, Hard drives, and flash drives, tape, RAM and optically like CD, DVD, Blu-ray.

It will take too long to explain it. I usually use How Stuff works to find out the answers to difficult questions.
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer...sks-channel.htm