1.2.1 Primary memory

Question 1

3 types of primary memory devices

Answer 1

• RAM
• ROM
• VM

Question 2

ROM

Answer 2

• contains boot-up sequence instructions

Question 3

bootstrap = BIOS (process of boot-up)

Answer 3

when computer is turned on, boot-up instructions got by CPU

Question 4

data on ROM

Answer 4

cannot easily be overwritten by user

Question 5

ROM is non volatile memory means

Answer 5

it doesn’t lose data when there is no power

Question 6

RAM stores data as small charges

Answer 6

charges need to be refreshed every few secs

Question 7

RAM is volatile memory means

Answer 7

it loses data when there is no power

Question 8

RAM is needed for…

Answer 8

to store currently used programs

Question 9

how does RAM enable multitasking

Answer 9

by copying data needed by programs at the time so it can be passed to the CPU to process the data

Question 10

RAM is so important because…

Answer 10

the computer leads programs onto the hard disk which are then loaded onto RAM so the CPU can access it at an acceptable rate, as getting data from the hark disk is very slow

Question 11

when RAM gets filled up what is used

Answer 11

VM - virtual memory

Question 12

VMs hard drive acts as…

Answer 12

RAM but operates slower

Question 13

ex. a game with good graphics may overload RAM

Answer 13

• the computer will relocate the programs that haven’t been recently used to the hard drive
• the process will take time as hard drives data speeds are much slower but when done, system should be fast again

Question 14

smaller amount of RAM =

Answer 14

= limited multitasking and greater need to use slower VM

Question 15

larger amount of RAM =

Answer 15

greater storage of programs/data leading to faster performance & effective multitasking