Random access memory. Its blank space your computer can put things it thinks it will need again to enhance the speed at which it operates.
2006-09-27 22:25:48
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answer #1
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answered by nevyn55025 6
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Your computer uses two types of "physical" memory. Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). RAM is a volatile memory used by the computer whilst it is running software as a temporary storage - hence the higher the value of RAM, the faster the software will run as the RAM is shared by the various processes running at any given time, inc the OS. AS it is a volatile memory, its contents are lost when the computer is turned off - always save work periodically to disc in case of power cuts, etc. ROM however is non volatile and retains its contents even when power is removed. The contents of this, however, cannot be altered or written to by you, the user. This contains things like the BIOS instructions and machine specific instructions.
There is also virtual memory - this is part of your hard drive which the computer / OS uses as an extra when more memory is required by the software running.
2006-09-27 22:48:37
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answer #2
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answered by Nigel B 3
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Short for Random Access Memory, RAM, also known as main memory or system memory, is a term commonly used to describe the memory within a computer. Unlike ROM, RAM requires power; if power is lost, all data is also lost.
2006-09-27 22:37:59
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Random Acces Memory is a type of chip that can have it memory rewriten over a over again it holds the data as long as there is power going into the chip so when it computer is turned off all the stuff you were doing is lost.
ROM or Read Only Memory can not be written and does not lose its contents once the power is gone.
2006-09-27 22:34:31
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answer #4
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answered by Ben 3
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Random access memory is like the 'working memory' or brain power of the machine. It's used for processing rather than storage so the more RAM, the faster the computer.
2006-09-27 22:27:42
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answer #5
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answered by le_coupe 4
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RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, which simply means that the bits of information stored in that memory can be retrieved in any order and at roughly the same speed, regardless of where in the memory they are stored.
Information can be stored and retrieved from RAM much faster then from a disk drive so your computer stores all of your files and programs on the disk drive and then loads just the bits of those files and programs that it currently needs into RAM so that they can be accessed and manipulated much faster.
Your programs contain instructions and these are loaded into your computers RAM by the operating system and from there they are read by the computer's CPU which executes them.
The instructions are actually copied from the computer's RAM into the CPU's cache, which is a smaller amount of high-speed RAM that the CPU has direct access to.
The RAM in your computer is normally volatile, which means that anything stored in it is lost when the power is turned off. The operating system (e.g. Microsoft Windows) takes care of making sure that everything that is in RAM that needs to be saved is written to the disk before you shutdown your computer however if your computer suffers a sudden power failure it is for this reason that you can sometimes lose work.
The most common form of RAM in modern computers is SDRAM, or the faster DDR (double data rate), DDR2, etc. variants. the SDRAM modules fit into DIMM (dual inline memory module) memory slots on your computer's motherboard.
Digital cameras, MP3 players, etc. in contrast use non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) called Compact Flash, which retains the stored information (your photos!) even in the absence of power. Your computer also has a small amount of NVRAM that it's BIOS (a small bit of code stored in a ROM that performs basic hardware initialization when you first turn on your computer, before Windows is loaded from the disk drive) uses to store settings.
Modern MP3 players have moved away from using the relatively small and expensive Flash memory to miniature hard disk drives, which offer tens of gigabytes (e.g. 60GB iPod Video) compared to around 4GB for the largest Flash RAM players.
2006-09-27 22:50:28
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answer #6
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answered by David B 3
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RAM or random access memory - is where a computer stores that which you save as apposed to ROM read only memory - which is as it says not somewhere you save to but only read from !
2006-09-27 22:29:14
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Random Access Memory.
Random-access memory (usually known by its acronym, RAM) refers to data storage formats and equipment that allow the storing data to be accessed in any order — that is, at random, not just in sequence. In contrast, other types of memory devices (such as magnetic tapes, disks, and drums) can access data on the storage medium only in a predetermined order due to constraints in their mechanical design.
2006-09-27 22:27:46
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answer #8
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answered by Intellithug 3
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It stands for:
Random
Access
Memory
Memory searching works in two main ways, and RAM is the better kind - it means that rather than searching through every single thing/file on your computer, the search function will be able to pick out the thing you're looking for straightaway. It also helps increase the speed at which your computer functions, which is great if you're running multiple things at the same time - for example, checking email, doing homework & listening to mp3s.
2006-09-27 22:29:19
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answer #9
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answered by squirrellondon 4
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Random Access Memory....it is the memory your computer uses to actively operate. The other type of memory is ROM, and it is the data memory that is stored such as your hard drive that your computer can use to operate.
2006-09-27 22:27:58
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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Random access memory.
2006-09-27 22:34:50
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answer #11
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answered by Tam 2
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