Read Only Memory
Computer Science: OCR A Level, topic 1.3.11
Read Only Memory
Read Only Memory (ROM) is another type of main memory found in computers. It comes on a small, factory made chip in the motherboard. Features of ROM include:
Non-volatile
- ROM is non-volatile.
- This means that ROM keeps its contents when power is lost.
Read only
- ROM is often made from flash memory. This means that its contents cannot be changed easily.
- This means that the ROM only stores small programs that boots or starts up the computer.
- These programs are called the Basic Input Output System (BIOS). They usually:
- Load an operating system.
- Check the system for errors.
Fast but expensive
- ROM is very fast to access.
- ROM is typically expensive, so tends to be only small.
Test yourself on Read Only Memory
What are the properties of ROM?
Which does a general-purpose computer usually have more of?