Study Cards For Ram, Rom, Secondary Storage Flashcards
(31 cards)
Describe what happens to the data stored in RAM when a computer is powered off.
All data is erased.
How does RAM differ from cache memory in terms of speed and purpose?
Cache is faster and closer to the CPU, used for the most frequently accessed data.
Why is RAM necessary if the computer has a hard drive?
RAM is much faster than a hard drive, which speeds up active tasks.
Explain how virtual memory extends the capabilities of RAM.
It uses part of the hard drive to act as extra RAM when needed.
How do applications and the operating system use RAM while the computer is running?
They load data into RAM so the CPU can access it quickly.
What type of data is typically stored in ROM?
Start up instructions for the computer
Why is ROM considered non-volatile?
It keeps the data even after the computer is switched off
Explain the main difference between ROM and RAM.
ROM is permanent and RAM is temporary
What is BIOS, and why is it often stored in ROM?
BIOS starts the computer and loads the operating system.
Describe how data is accessed differently in ROM compared to RAM.
Data in ROM is read-only; RAM can be read and written to.
What role does ROM play during the computer’s boot process?
ROM stores the instructions to start the computer.
Define secondary storage and give three examples.
Long-term storage; examples are HDD, SSD, USB.
What is the main difference between primary and secondary storage?
Primary is temporary while secondary is long term
Why is secondary storage usually non-volatile?
keeps data when the power is off.
Explain how a hard disk drive stores data.
It uses spinning disks and magnets to store data.
Describe the difference between a solid-state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD).
SSDs have no moving parts and are faster than HDDs.
What is a computer
A computer processes data, uses RAM for temporary storage, and stores data long-term.
What is a RAM
Holds operating systems and programs data in use by the cpu
What does a RAM do
Volatile, read and write and larger than ROM
What is ROM
Holds first instructions for when computer is first turned off, programs can be stored in ROM in embedded systems
What does ROM do
Non-volatile(contents remain), read only sometimes, small in comparison to RAM
Needed for secondary storage
Needed because Rom is read only and ram is volatile
Secondary storage is needed for
Store files that are (Back up of files, archive files of data files) semi- permanent storage of data that can change
Types of storage
Optical, magnetic, solid state
