just always wondered...
2007-03-22 06:38:51 · 11 answers · asked by Higlet 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
There are certain types of electronic memory that are non-volatile. In other words, they retain the digital information when the power is off.
These memories have an acronym name: EEPROM, for electrically erasable, programmable, read only memory.
Every 'bit' of the memory (and there are generally millions of bits in a single chip) can remember a 'zero' or a 'one', by a small charge (electrons) that are injected into an small insulator above a transistor cell. That charge (or no charge for a zero) remains stuck in the insulator after the power is shut off. When the power comes back on, the individual bits are remembered (charge present or charge absent for every bit).
All of the electron charges can be erased by applying a higher-than-normal erase voltage to all the transistor cells, and then the memory can be re-used.
I hope this wasn't too much information.
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2007-03-22 06:42:58 · answer #1 · answered by tlbs101 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Microchips are made by McCains, microprocessors are made by Intel and others. To use "microchips" in computer terms is a nasty piece of journalismese that has crept into the dictionary.
To use OU vernacular microprocessors use backing store such as hard disk drives and working store such as memory. 2 kinds of memory, static which remembers even when the power is turned off (either because of the way it works or a battery) and dynamic which works as long as the power is on but forgets when the power is off because it has to be continually refreshed when powered. Some uprocs have memory built in such as PIC chips whereas others rely on external memory or storage devices like the processor in your PC.
2007-03-22 14:09:50 · answer #2 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
simple answer! it dosn't. like most have answered ha. if you want to know how a microchip works, presuming you mean a processor, google the little man simulator and check it out. it's a simple and reasonably understandable guide as to how a processor works.
2007-03-22 19:17:57 · answer #3 · answered by DEAN L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Microchips don't "remember they process it and send it to places that do
2007-03-22 13:54:51 · answer #4 · answered by simonjohnlaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Microchips don't "remember."
2007-03-22 13:46:13 · answer #5 · answered by angrysandwichguy_2007 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't. I have to do the remembering to take them out of the microwave oven when they're done. Ping!
2007-03-22 13:47:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you eat a chip.You never forget.Just had mine.With fried eggs.
2007-03-22 13:46:38 · answer #7 · answered by Butt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but it would take me to long to explain, and you would't be any wiser after!
2007-03-22 13:49:03 · answer #8 · answered by jimbob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't. It processes information stored elsewhere.
2007-03-22 13:42:30 · answer #9 · answered by coolestguyever21 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it ties knots in its underwear
2007-03-22 13:42:22 · answer #10 · answered by Leo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋