1.6 MEMORY

Question 1

WHAT DOES MEMORY DO?

Memory is main memory/primary storage

Answer 1

Stores instructions. Accessed faster than secondary storage.

Question 2

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF MEMORY AND PROCESSOR ON PERFORMANCE?

Answer 2

-Affects speed at which software can be loaded
-Affects speed of completion of software tasks.

Question 3

RAM

Answer 3

Random Access Memory.

Question 4

WHAT DOES PROCESSOR DO IN RELATION TO MEMORY?

Answer 4

Processor fetches software instructions from memory and executes.

Question 5

WHERE IS SOFTWARE LOADED FROM?

Answer 5

Loaded from computer’s secondary storage.

Question 6

ROM

Answer 6

Read Only Memory. Memory that can NOT be changed after manufacture. Stores only one program.

Question 7

WHAT IS ROM USED FOR?

Answer 7

ROM is ONLY used to boot the system and load to OS from secondary storage in PCs.

Question 8

EXAMPLES THAT STORE ONLY ONE PROGRAM?

Answer 8

• Calculators
• Digital watches
• Washing machines

Question 9

FEATURES OF RAM?

4

Answer 9

1. Volatile - can NOT store data when it has no power = if power is off, all data in RAM is lost.
2. Writing is fast
3. Stores temporary data
4. RAM can be upgraded using RAM slots on motherboard, can only add maximum supported by comuter.

Question 10

WHAT HAPPENS IF SPACE IN RAM BECOMES FOR AVAILABLE?

Answer 10

Active programs are then moved into RAM from virtual memory which improves the performance of those programs. The computer system’s performance can be improved when user uses multiple files/programs at the same time.

Question 11

FEATURES OF ROM?

Answer 11

1. Non-volatile - data is NOT lost when power is off.
2. Writing is slow
3. Stores permanent data
4. Can NOT be upgraded.

Question 12

ARE RAM AND ROM ACCESSIBLE IN ANY ORDER?

Answer 12

YES

Question 13

IMPACT OF SIZES OF RAM? (POSITIVE + NEGATIVE)

Answer 13

• If more RAM is available more programs can run at the same time. More complex tasks can happen, when updates happen, updates often include complex features.
• If there is not enough RAM, OS creates virtual memory by using an area of secondary storage.

Question 14

WHAT ARE THE 2 TYPES OF ROM?

Answer 14

1. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
2. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)

Question 15

WHAT IS EPROM?

Answer 15

Data from EPROM can be erased by exposing STRONG UV LIGHT. Can then be rewritten to it (reprogrammed).

Question 16

WHAT IS EEPROM?

Answer 16

Data is erased by applying voltage to one of the pins on a ROM chip (applying a shock). By doing this, you DON’T need to remove ROM chip to erase its contents.

Question 17

WHAT WAS EEPROM LATER DEVELOPED INTO?

Answer 17

Flash memory.

Question 18

WHEN IS THE PROCESS OF ERASING/REWRITING DATA ON EPROM/EEPROM USED?

Answer 18

Used when updating firmware of device.

Question 19

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EPROM AND EEPROM?

Answer 19

EPROM data is erased by using STRONG UV LIGHT.
EEPROM data is erased by applying a voltage (shock).

Question 20

CHARACTERISTICS OF FLASH MEMORY?

Answer 20

1. Type of EEPROM
2. Non-volatile
3. Fast access time because of no moving parts.
4. Lower power consumption because of no moving parts.

Question 21

USES OF FLASH MEMORY?

Answer 21

1. It is used in SSDs that is used in portable device which rely on internal batteries for power as it has LOW POWER CONSUMPTION.
2. Often used as REMOVABLE STORAGE (USB drives, SD Cards)

Question 22

WHAT IS SECONDARY STORAGE?

Answer 22

Storage. Slower than RAM, so when software then has to access instructions from virtual memory there is a great decrease in system performance.

Question 23

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SSD (Solid State Drive) IS USED AS SECONDARY STORAGE?

Answer 23

Data is swapped to and from

Question 24

EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY STORAGE?

Answer 24

Hard disks, SSDs