Module I: Introduction to Computers (CH 101)-I

COMPUTER MEMORY
Memory is a place where the computer remembers things. Data and Instructions are stored in memory. They are stored in memory as bytes during execution. Each byte in the memory has its unique address that identifies its location. Memory Stores the following three items: Operating system and other system software. Application programs Data

Volatile Memories: The memories that lose their contents when the power is turned off called volatile memories. Non-volatile Memories: The memories that do not lose their contents when the power is removed called Non-volatile memories

PRIMARY MEMORY Two types: RAM AND ROM RAM (Random Access Memory) Is a volatile (temporary) memory. Programs and data can be written to and erased from RAM as needed. This means that RAM does not retain its data when the power is turned off. ROM (Read Only Memory) Is nonvolatile (permanent) memory. The contents in ROM cannot be changed

MEMORY ADDRESS: The CPU accesses each location in memory by using a unique number, called a memory address.
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Module I: Introduction to Computers (CH 101)-I Different types of RAM o SRAM: static RAM No need to be refreshed o DRAM: dynamic RAM Need to be refreshed periodically Main memory o SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) o EDRAM (Enhanced DRAM) o EDO (Extended Data Out) Different types of ROM o PROM: programmable ROM Only written once o EPROM: erasable PROM Use ultraviolet light to erase data o EEPROM: electronically EPROM Can be erased using electronic impulses (higher voltages) Magnetic Storage Devices Diskettes (floppy disks) (FDD) Hard disks (HD) High-capacity floppy disks (ZIP Disk) USB flash drive Magnetic tape

Optical Storage Devices Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) Digital Video Disk Read-Only Memory (DVD-ROM) CD-Recordable (CD-R) CD-Rewritable (CD-RW)

RAM (Random Access memory)

RAM refers to the main memory of the computer. It is the main work area i.e. when we are using the computer the data will stored in the RAM. When the power goes off the data in RAM gets erased and cannot be recovered. This is the reason why when we are typing a document and suddenly when the power goes off our document gets lost. Memory Module RAM is mounted on a small circuit board called MEMORY MODULE (a place in motherboard where RAM can be connected). This is mounted on the mother board. Types of memory module: There are three types of memory module. SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) Pins on the opposite sides of the circuitboard are connected together to form a single set of contacts The SIMM is the most popular memory module, even with the rise of DIMM use. They come in two sizes;- 30-pin and 72-pin. SIMM comes in both single and double sided designs DIMM (Double Inline Memory Module) Pins on opposite sides of the circuit do not connect and form two set of contacts. The DIMM is a newer memory module It has 168 pins and provides a 64-bit memory pathway The popular SDRAM comes on DIMMs An architectural difference is the pin designs. SIMMs have either 30 or 72 pins, and these pins are for both sides of the module. A DIMM actually has 83 pins on each side. These pins are more like little pads of metal. This design allows more performance while maintaining a small package size. It also makes it even more imperative that the connection remain intact with all the "pads."
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Module I: Introduction to Computers (CH 101)-I

Dual Inline memory module (DIMM)

72 PIN SIMM

Types of RAM:
SRAM (Static RAM) The memory cells are made of digital gates. Each cell can store its value without any need to refresh the data as long as the power is available. CPU doesn't wait to access data. Its normally used to build a very fast memory known as CACHE memory. SRAM is faster and more reliable than DRAM. Unlike DRAM SRAM need not be refreshed. SRAM can support an access time of 10 nanoseconds. SRAM does not need to pause between accesses and hence its cycle time is much shorter than DRAM. SRAM is much more expensive than DRAM. Mostly SRAM is used as memory cache. DRAM (Dynamic RAM) It is the type of memory that is used in most computers. DRAM requires an electric current to maintain its electrical state. The electric charge of DRAM decreases with time that may result in loss of data. The processor cannot access the data of DRAM when it is being refreshed. SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is an improvement to standard DRAM types. SDRAM is made in 64 bit wide modules called DIMMs. They are available 128, 256 MB, and 512MB. There are usually 2 -4 DIMM sockets on a motherboard. DDR RAM Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is a much more advanced type of memory than SDRAM. DDR RAM works twice the bus speed of SDRAM. This means DDR RAM is much faster than SDRAM. DDR RAM has got 16 pins more than SD RAM this means it will not fit into the same socket. EDO RAM EDO stands for Extended Data Out. This type of memory was used in earlier computers.

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Module I: Introduction to Computers (CH 101)-I

ROM (Read Only Memory)

ROM refers to permanent memory. This means data cannot erased or edited from this memory. The data that is in the memory will remain even if the power goes off. When the power is switched off the instructions stored in it are not lost, Thats why it is also called NON-VOLATILE memory.. Fee from destructive programs such as viruses. This type of memory is used to store system level programs which the computer needs all the time. The most common example is a program that gives instructions on how to boot the computer. This program is stored in a memory called the BIOS ROM. Game Machines store the program that it needs to run on a ROM chip. This is a picture of a ROM chip found on a pin ball machine game.

Types of ROM
PROM PROM stands for Programmable Read Only Memory. This form of ROM is initially blank, user can write data on it using special devices only once. If there is any error in writing the instructions, the error cannot be removed from the PROM. EPROM It stands for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. User can erase data stored in EPROM chips by exposing the chip to ultra violet light. EEPROM It stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read only Memory. In this memory user can read & write instructions using electrical pulses. If there is any error, the user can erase the contents electrically. All of these PROM, EPROM are slower than RAM

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

The BIOS is special software that interfaces the hardware components with the operating system. It is usually stored on flash memory chip on the motherboard. The main function of bios is to load the operating system When the computer is turned on the CPU tries to execute the first instruction. This instruction has to be somewhere. It cannot get the instruction from the operating system because the operating system is on the hard disk or in the memory at this stage, and CPU cannot get to it because there is no instruction on how to get that instruction. The BIOS provides the instructions on how to get to the operating system. Some of the other common instructions the BIOS performs are Check all the devices and make sure it works. Activate all the other BIOS chips on different cards of the computer. Manage input and output devices like the keyboard, screen when the computer is booting. Manage a collection of setting for the hard disk, clock etc: When the computer is turned on there are several things the BIOS does in sequence. 1. Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings 2. Load the device drivers
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Module I: Introduction to Computers (CH 101)-I 3. 4. 5. 6. Initialize registers and power management Perform the power-on self-test (POST) Display system settings Determine which devices are bootable

The first thing BIOS does is to check the information stored in a memory called CMOS chip. The CMOS setup provides detailed information particular to the system and can be altered if a change is brought to the hardware.

CACHE MEMORY
Cache is a special high speed storage mechanism. There are two types of caching commonly used memory caching and disk caching. Memory caching This is a portion of memory made of static RAM (SRAM). Instead of using slower and cheaper dynamic RAM (DRAM), the computer keeps as much information possible in this SRAM and avoids accessing DRAM. This makes the computer faster. Disk caching Disk caching uses a portion of the hard disk as cache memory. The most recently accessed data from the disk is stored in a memory buffer. When a program needs to access data from disk it first checks the disk cache to see whether the data is available. Disk caching can improve the performance of applications.

PARITY
Parity checking is done to check whether the memory is functioning correctly. There are two types of parities used. One is called even parity and the other is called odd parity. Two types of parities are used even and odd parity. Even parity checks whether the number of ones is even and odd parity checks whether the number of ones is odd. Most of the memories used odd parity. Parity checking and ECC checking can be both enabled from the advanced settings from the BIOS.

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