RAM /ROM / BIOS / VM

Question 1

RAM

Answer 1

‘Working’ area of the computer. Programs and data currently in use is stored in the RAM. On startup the BIOS loads the OS into the RAM.
CHARACTERISTICS -
- Random Access - allows data items to be read or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data inside the memory
Volatile -> emptied on power down
- 1 GB - 16 GB

Question 2

ROM

Answer 2

A permanent area of storage, the contents can’t be altered by software. Contents of ROM is written at manufacture
CHARACTERISTICS -
- Read Only Access
- Non-Volatile -> retains data at power down
- Mainly used to store firmware or application software in plug-in cartridges
Examples of ROM - Bootloader (BIOS/UEFI)

Question 3

BIOS/UEFI

Answer 3

Basic Input Output System / Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. The BIOS is preforms the hardware initialisation during the bootup and provides runtime services between OS and hardware. UEFI was designed to be the successor of BIOS

Question 4

Virtual Memory

Answer 4

When the RAM is full, the OS uses some of the secondary storage as Virtual Memory. This means the computer can continue to run. Pages (blocks of data) are transferred to the virtual memory when not needed thus freeing up space and returned to RAM when they are needed.