RAM and ROM questions and answers
Q1. What is RAM used for?
A1. Holds applications and data currently being used by the computer.
Q2. Explain how the CPU, RAM and secondary storage work together to run programs.
A2. All programs and files are stored on secondary storage devices (usually but not always the hard drive) whether you are using them or not. The CPU cannot work directly with applications and data stored on a secondary storage device but needs to move them into primary memory (RAM) first. The CPU then runs programs and access data by constantly going to RAM.
Q3. What is meant by ‘booting up’ a computer?
A3. Powering a device up.
Q4. Describe what jobs the ROM does.
A4. BIOS check and helps to load up the operating system.
Q5. What are the key differences between RAM and ROM?
A5. RAM is volatile, ROM is non-volatile. RAM is read/write, ROM is read only.
Q6. What does RAM and ROM stand for?
A6. Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory.
Q7. Why are RAM and ROM known as 'primary memory'?
A7. Because they are both accessed by the CPU directly.
Q8. Why is a hard drive and pen drive known as 'secondary storage'?
A8. Because they are not accessed by the CPU directly. If the CPU wants to access something on the hard drive, for example, then it must first be moved into RAM.
Q9. What does the word 'volatile' mean when used in computing?
A9. It means that the contents disappear if you remove power from it.
Q10. What does BIOS stand for and what is it?
A10. Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is checked when a computer starts up to see if a basic computer is present i.e. is there a keyboard, some RAM, can the hard drive be accessed. If these basic checks pass, then the operating system can be copied from the hard drive into RAM and started.