What Is Computer Memory? An Introduction For Beginners

Computers are commonly said to have brains and a memory. They are said to "think", "learn", and "react". However, computers aren't made up of living cells and tissue. These terms don't mean the same things as they do when applied to a living, breathing being. Computer memory is the next best thing and this capability of the computer assists in the daily lives of millions of people in a variety of professions. The most commonly known form of computer memory is RAM. Even school children know these initial, which stand for Random Access Memory.

This is a volatile form of memory. Translated to laymen's terms, volatile simply means temporary. It is not a long term memory and would best be compared to our own short term memory abilities. The information is there and being accessed by our memory when needed, but gone when it becomes unnecessary for the computer to access it in order to complete a command given by its user.

 Volatile memory is sometimes referred to as dynamic because it can change and be changed. Non-volatile forms of memory are sometimes referred to as static memory. Static memory can be stored and is stable.

The memory of a computer in this capacity indicates that the memory is not temporary in nature. A computer has both forms of memory just as we have short and long term memories. In essence, the computer and its memory are designed in a way that is reminiscent of the human brain. For the purpose of computer memory, it is also important to know that there are several types of memory for both volatile and non-volatile forms of memory.

Other types of computer memory include: RAM (both dynamic and static), ROM, cache, flash, virtual, video, and BIOS. There are also memory sticks. Each type of memory has specific purposes and functions and not all computers have all forms of memory. This is what makes each computer's performance unique just as our brains are what make us unique. It's also important to realize that computer memory is not limited to desktops and laptops.

The memory types we commonly associate with computers are found in many of the electronics we use every day. Not all types are used in all electronic devices, but the individual types are located in them just the same. Some of these electronics include cell phones, PDAs (Personal Data Assistants), and radios. Even televisions and VCRs use computer memory.

 The most commonly known electronic device that uses computer memory for children is the game consoles in today's popular systems. While adults play these intriguing entertainment outlets as well, teens and kids know them best. What most children don't realize is that the game "remembers" their ending point from a previous session of play due to the capacity of its computer memory.

Without computer memory, the game console wouldn't even remember what game to play! Computer memory is the capacity of a computerized device to remember or run an application that makes it work the way we expect it to work when we turn it on. It is different than electricity, since that is a current that basically, in simplistic terms, wakes up the electronic, computerized device we wish to use. Computer memory makes the devices we use come to life-or as close to life as technology can get.

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Some Information About The Computer Memory Cards That You Must Know

Computer memory is an area which cannot be compromised in any case, it is what stores all the information on your computer. Your computer would be nothing but a box without reliable memory in it. Computer memory cards need to be good quality. Most people prefer getting a dependable brand name. If you have a PC you probably know about the different types of memory cards. But there is more to understand about it. An association known as Personal Computer Memory Card International Association looks after the features and promotion of computer memory cards all over the world.

According to the association, the memory cards can be defined in relation to two standards known as personal card standard and Express Card standard. You are going to learn about both standards. Today, every other person has a personal laptop. In the laptop memory, personal card standard has a major role to play.

 It provides a platform and infrastructure to all applications and operating system of the notebook computers. There are different types of personal cards, let's say type1, type2, type3, and so on. All these different cards use a similar row attaching interface. All interfaces are 84mm long and 53mm in breadth. After getting any type of the memory cards, it is better to explore the Card Information Structure present in it. However, this is present in all types of cards and needs to be checked out before installation into the computer system.

This section tells about the type of the computer memory card, power supply sources, power saving sources, manufacturer and the model number of the card and other important information. Another standard for the memory cards are Express Cards. It is a hardware device that is successfully replacing the personal cards. These hardware memory cards are pluggable and can accept the wireless cards as well as the memory card readers.

 These cards are readily available for every model of notebook computer since 2005. The Express card supports the two main factors and have wider bandwidth in comparison to personal computer memory cards. More than this, they use an interface controller as well which is rarely used by PC cards. In order to get more details and information about these two products of International Association of Computer Memory Cards, you can explore the different websites online. In Express memory cards, there are several models available to you by different companies.

 Some of them are equipped with integrated antenna while others contain broadband modem with it. So, according to your desire and personal needs of your computer, you can pick any one of the computer memory cards.

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Understanding The Different Types Of Computer Memory

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20 years or so, you are already aware of the tremendous strides that have been made in computer technology. In a relatively short amount of time computers have gone from being the size of a room, to the size of a hand's palm. While getting smaller and more compact, they have also become more effective and efficient at their functions. That doesn't mean that owning and operating a computer means you know exactly how each of the components works.

 One of the least understood aspects of a computer's operating system and function has to do with memory. Many people assume that their computer only has one kind and that it has unlimited space available. When their computer begins to run sluggishly or not at all, many are surprised to learn that the problem is the system's memory and it is easy to fix. Before you are forced to learn the hard way about your computer's memory, let's discuss some of the different types of memory and their functions.

 The two most often recognized types of memory are RAM and virtual memory. RAM stands for random access memory. This is the type of memory that is responsible for "remembering" the details and programming of the various types of software on the computer. Each computer system is unique in terms of how much memory it has.

The misconception among computer challenged people is that this type of memory is unlimited. It isn't. When RAM memory is full, the compute immediately moves given information to the virtual memory. Since virtual memory is intended to be a temporary storage area, if more RAM isn't added or space freed up, your computer will begin to run more slowly and programs and information may be lost or inaccessible. Another type of computer memory is ROM or read only memory.

This type of memory comes into play whenever you shut down or restart your computer. Any data you have on your system or are working on is immediately saved to this memory. When you start your system the ROM performs a power on self test or POST, to make sure all of your software and programs are working as they should.

An important aspect of this test is the built in memory controller. In this way, your computer makes sure there aren't any errors in the memory chips. From the ROM section of the computer's memory, the basic memory component BIOS does its job. This is where the most basic actions of the computer are controlled. In the computer world, it is known as the input/output system.

The BIOS controls information about the various boot sequences on the computer, storage devices, and security features. It also keeps track of the system's plug and play capabilities and other vital, background functions of the computer. From this point the computer's memory stores the essential information of the operating system from the hard drive to the RAM memory and the memory cycle comes full circle.

 With a working understanding of a computer's memory system, it's easy to see why it is essential to make sure the system's RAM is never overtaxed. RAM is responsible for making the OS or operating system function. If it doesn't have enough space to make that happen, the computer runs poorly and you may lose use of vital information. Fortunately, your RAM space can be cleared out or increased with additional random access memory sticks. Both methods are useful for creating additional space.

 Computers are much easier to understand when you have some knowledge of their memory systems and how to keep them in good operating order.

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How the Computer Memory System Works

You are probably tied to your computer with work and personal use. It is not surprising considering how much time is spent working on computers each day. The world would come to a grinding halt without them. But they cannot work if they do not have the right amount of computer memory installed. Everything your PC performs, from software to hardware, involves the computer's storage.

It can also mean the difference between having a fast computer and having one that takes forever. Your laptop or desktop memory is very important. It is how the PC runs and how the software runs. It is certainly more than just being able to save a document you are typing or being able to download a song. The memory computer systems need is centered around how fast it can run and how quickly data can be loaded.

Major Computer Components Information

A PC's memory is the amount of storage on it. Taking for example generic memory, when a PC stores information in its temporary memory it is able to run much faster.The process of accessing computer storage is very easy. The Central Processing Unit (or CPU) wants to use the closest information it can find first. So it stores vital information to keep the computer running efficiently in a temporary storage or cache first.

Only after looking in this file will the PC search through the long term permanent storage. Both desktop computers and notebooks use this same method for gathering its information. There are a few terms you need to know when it comes to your computer's memory. The first is RAM which stands for Random Access Memory. The second is ROM (Read-Only Memory). The third is OS which stands for Operating System and finally BIOS which is Basic Input/Output System.

Computer Memory An Introduction For Beginners

Each of these terms is used to describe how the PC's storage is used to access the information and load the systems. Computer memory can seem a bit complicated. There are a lot of terms to know and it can be confusing. The best summary is that the faster the computer is, the more it needs to keep a temporary folder to access information. Think of it like a Post-It note that you write down a phone number on when you are in a hurry. You will not leave the number on there if it is important, you will save it someplace else. But you have it there for quick reference.

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