D.

Memory
 Computer memory is device that is used to
store data or programs (sequences of
instructions) on a temporary or permanent
basis for use in an electronic digital computer.
 Computer memory is divided into two
categories:
1. ROM (Non volatile)
2. RAM (Volatile)

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D. ROM
 ROM, consists of memory chips that contain
programs that are acid-burned into the chips
at the factory. The programs on a ROM chip
(sometimes called firmware) are permanent;
they cannot be changed.
 ROM stores system BIOS and startup BIOS

programs in a microchip that does not lose

data when the power is turned off.

2
D. Flash ROM
 Flash ROM can be used on systemboards, and
it allows upgraded versions of the BIOS to be
written to it without having to physically
replace the chip.
 Technically speaking, Flash ROM is called

EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable

read-only memory), which means you can
change the programming on the chip through
software on your PC.
 The updated programming will be retained,

even when you turn off your PC for long

periods of time, until you change it again.
3
D. BIOS Upgrade
 BE VERY CAREFUL that you upgrade the BIOS
with the correct upgrade.
 Upgrading with the wrong file could make your

system BIOS totally useless.

 If you’re not sure that you’re using the correct

upgrade, DON’T GUESS.

 Check with the technical support for your BIOS

before moving forward.

 To upgrade Flash ROM, follow the directions

that came with your systemboard and the

upgrade software itself.

4
D. RAM
 RAM, can be written to and read from by the
CPU and some applications.
 It is stored on chips that are either socketed

or soldered directly on the systemboard or

housed on little mini-boards.
 Since RAM depends on power from the

computer, all of the data in RAM is lost when

the power is turned off.

5
D. RAM
 RAM is a volatile memory.
 For economic reasons, the main memories

found in personal computers are normally

consists of dynamic RAM (DRAM).
 Other parts of the computer, such as cache

memories and data buffers in hard disks,

normally use static RAM (SRAM).

6
D. RAM
D. RAM
D. RAM
 DRAM (memory) modules
Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM)
Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)
 Double Data Rate (DDR)
 (Synchronous DRAM) SDRAM modules operate

at various speeds, depending on the bus

speed whereas SIMM module only operates at
a single speed.

9
D. RAM

10
D. RAM Installation
 When installing SIMMs or DIMMs, remember
to protect the chips against static electricity.
 Always use a ground bracelet as you work.
 Turn the power off and remove the cover to

the case.
 Handle memory modules with care. Ground

yourself before unpacking or picking up a

card.
 Don’t stack cards, because you can loosen a

chip.

11
D. RAM Installation

12
D. RAM Installation
 Place each module securely in its slot. Turn on
the PC and watch the amount of memory being
counted by POST during the boot process.
 If all the memory you expect does not count
up correctly, remove and reseat each module
carefully.
 To remove a module, release the latches on
both sides of the module and gently rotate the
module out of the socket at a 45-degree
angle.

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D. Memory Upgrade
 When you add more memory to a computer,
ask yourself these questions:
 How much memory do I need?
 How much memory can my computer

physically accommodate?
 What increments of memory does my

systemboard support?
 How much additional memory is cost effective?
 What kind of memory can fit on my

systemboard?

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D. Memory Upgrade
 What memory is compatible with the memory
I already have installed?
 Adding more memory to improve a slow-

performing PC will probably not help. Perhaps

what you might really need is a more
powerful CPU, or a faster hard drive or
systemboard.
 Therefore it is imperative to observe your

options before rushing to increase memory.

15
D. Memory Summary
 Memory can be viewed as both physical
memory installed on the systemboard and
expansion boards, as well as logical memory
managed by the operating system.
 Two kinds of physical memory are RAM and

ROM.
 System BIOS is stored on ROM chips on the

systemboard. In addition, expansion boards

sometimes have ROM chips on them, holding
BIOS programming to manage the device.
 Two kinds of memory modules are SIMMs and

DIMMs.
16
D. Memory Summary
 There are two kinds of RAM: SRAM and DRAM.
SRAM is faster because it holds data as long as
power is available to the chip. DRAM loses the data
after a very short time and must be refreshed.
 SRAM is used in a memory cache, which speeds up
the overall computer performance by temporarily
holding data and programming that may possibly
be used by the CPU in the near future.
 Flash memory holds data permanently until it is
overwritten, and is commonly used on Flash ROM
chips and memory cards for notebook computers.

17
D. Memory Summary
 Synchronous DRAM is a faster kind of
memory than the less expensive
asynchronous DRAM found on SIMMs.
 SRAM comes as either synchronous or

asynchronous memory. Synchronous is faster

and slightly more expensive than
asynchronous memory.
 The practice of copying BIOS from slower

ROM chips to faster RAM chips for processing

is called shadowing ROM. The area of RAM
holding the BIOS is called shadow RAM.

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E. Power Supply

19
E. Power Supply
 A computer power supply changes and
conditions the house electrical current in several
ways, functioning as both a transformer and a
rectifier.
 It steps down the voltage from the 220 Volt

house current to 3.3, 5, and 12 volts or to 5 and

12 volts, and changes incoming alternating
current to direct current, which the computer
and its peripherals require.
 The monitor, however, receives the full 220 volts

of AC current, converting that current to DC.

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