2006-09-25 01:51:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
The BIOS chip is a ROM. On it is stored the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). It is strictly an Output device. A RAM chip is a Random Access Memory device. IT can both store and retrieve data. It is an Input/Output device!
2006-09-25 01:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a nutshell:
A RAM chip is a computer memory chip that can be read and written to.
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. It is computer code that resides on a ROM chip.
ROM chips can only be read. BIOS code for a computer system provides basic start up functions when the computer is firest turned on. BIOS code can also be called by a program after the computer is booted.
In the PC computer, the BIOS code does many things when you first start up the computer. For example, the BIOS code sets up the certain hardware on the motherboard, checks certain installed devices and configures them, does an optional memory check, and more.
Check Wikipedia.com for the definitions of RAM and ROM.
2006-09-25 02:01:37 · answer #2 · answered by Balk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to add my 2 cents:
The BIOS ROM is memory that has data(programs actually) *permanently* stored in it at the "factory". It cannot be changed. (Some ROMs CAN be changed but that's another story)
RAM is basically blank storage space that the computer can use any way it wants. It stores stuff there *while the computer is ON*. It can read it and write to it. Every piece of your data that you see onscreen, whether it be text, a picture or sound, gets stored in RAM at some point. NONE of your data gets put into ROM.
2006-09-25 03:23:38 · answer #3 · answered by ExcelerNot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RAM ~ Random Access Memory
BIOS ~ Basic Input\Output System
They have their different function in the pc.
$_UK_HI
2006-09-25 02:11:37 · answer #4 · answered by sukhdeep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BIOS - Basic Input Output System
RAM - Random Access Memory
They perform different functions.
2006-09-25 01:59:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the name implies, you cannot write to ROM (read-only memory); your system can only read it during normal operation.
The computer manufacturer preprograms the data; the data will remain intact without any power. Random-access memory allows the CPU to read and write information at any time. This information is erased, however, when you turn the system's power off. We can further differentiate RAM chips between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic (RAM) (DRAM), depending upon whether the data in the cells needs to be refreshed. (SRAM doesn't need to be refreshed.)
2006-09-25 01:58:38 · answer #6 · answered by harsha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋