Look Inside the Computer!

Memory

RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) 

Random Access Memory (RAM)
 is one type of memory chips found inside your computer. 
It is used to hold programs and data
 you put into the computer while your computer is in operation.

RAM is the computer's primary workplace. 
All information or data you put into RAM 
only stays there while the computer is turned on. 
When you turn off your computer 
any information in RAM will be erased and gone forever.

Think as RAM as a blackboard.

When a teacher writes on a blackboard
 it must be copied into your notebook 
if you want to save the work.
 
When the teacher is finished 
the information is erase from the blackboard 
and all the information is gone unless you had written it down in your notebook.
 
The same is true of RAM in your computer. 
RAM is a temporary workplace inside your computer. 

You must save your work onto a disk 
before you turn off your computer, 
or else your work will be erased. 

ROM

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Read Only Memory (ROM) is a permanent memory chip inside your computer. 

ROM basically contains all the information the computer needs to tell it how to run and do all that it is supposed to do. 

ROM tells your  computer how to do a various operations: 

• how to turn itself off

• start-up instructions

• load your computer's operation system

• where your computer can find its disk drives

• how to read information form disks

Do you think you have something like 
ROM in your own brain?
 Is there information in your own brain 
that will never be erased?
 What about your name? Are you a male or female? 
Do you know how to get up out of bed each morning? 
What language do you speak?

Can you see that ROM is permanent information inside your computer that basically tells your computer what it is and how to work.