RAM & ROM

Question 1

what is RAM

Answer 1

Random Access Memory

• a high speed volatile memory used as the main memory which can be read and written to.
• volatile means all data is lost once the computer is turned off

Question 2

what is the purpose of RAM?

Answer 2

• to store data, files and programs while they’re being used
• operating system is copied from secondary storage to here, when a computer boots up
• is slower than the CPU cache but much faster than secondary storage
• it provides quick read and write access to a storage device.

Question 3

what is ROM?

Answer 3

Read Only Memory
a pre-written type of non-volatile memory where data stored cannot be electronically modified after the manufacture of the memory device because it is read only and cannot be written to
- it is a chip built into the motherboard

Question 4

what is some differences between RAM and ROM?

Answer 4

• ROM can hold data without power (electricity) and RAM cannot.
• ROM is meant for permanent storage, and RAM is for temporary storage.
• ROM is non-volatile whereas RAM is volatile
• RAM can be written and read to but ROM can only be read.

Question 5

what is the purpose of ROM?

Answer 5

• stores start up instructions for a computer (all instructions needed to boot up) the BIOS
• stores the boot loader

Question 6

RAM is needed for a computer system because…

Answer 6

it’s faster to read than secondary storage

Question 7

what is virtual memory?

Answer 7

an allocation of space from the hard drive used as RAM