ITS - Memory
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What Is Memory in a Computer and What Does It Do?
What is memory?
Memory within a computer is a type of volatile storage. Physically memory is a long thin piece of electronics. All memory (other than from the hard drive(s)) within a computer is called RAM which means random-access memory.
What does RAM do?
The main goal and benefit of RAM is the ability to quickly access memory without that memory being written to a drive. For example when you launch a program it gets temporarily stored in the RAM for easy and quick access rather than utilizing the slower more dense drive(s).
History of Computer Memory
Computer memory was first introduced in 1945 along with the introduction of the computer but the memory was complicated and could only hold a handful of bytes at a time. Soon after its inception J. Presper Eckert created a new type of memory in 1947. This new memory was called delay line memory and could store up to 200 bits at once. Another engineer, Fred Williams, began to innovate on Eckert's design until he created the first random-access-memory. This new design then became the standard and as new innovations and inventions came out the RAM started to look more and more like what we use today.
How to Install, Remove, and Upgrade Your Memory
RAM is easy to install and remove. It fits into long plastic slots on the motherboard. To install it you need to push down on the plastic locks on either side of the RAM slot. Once this is done you simply push the RAM into the slot and wait till it clicks. That click means the locks are back in place and you've successfully installed a stick of RAM! To remove memory you would do the same process but simply removing the stick after unlocking it. In order to upgrade your RAM you need to buy memory that is compatible with your other memory (if any else is installed). Other than that to make sure that new piece of hardware will be able to work. Also check the form factor of the memory and of the motherboard to make sure it fits.
Architecture of Memory
The main physical components of computer memory are the memory cells and the gold contacts. The gold contacts are used to connect the memory to the motherboard. This allows for information to pass between them and the memory to do its function. The memory cells are what is actually allowing for the memory to do read and write functions, especially at the speed which it is.
Interfaces/Form Factors
The from factors of memory are SIMMS (single in-line memory module), DIMMS (dual in-line memory module), SO DIMMS (small outline DIMM), RIMMS, and SO RIMMS. Since SIMMS were created first using less advanced tools it is slower and bulkier than DIMMS. DIMMS are what are seen most commonly in today's computers and offer a great fast speed memory. RIMMS are very similar to DIMMS but offer a slightly faster speed and have more pins than DIMMS. SO DIMMS and SO RIMMS are the same as regular DIMM or RIMM just simply smaller because it is designed for smaller devices.
Fault Tolerance/Enhancement
One form of fault tolerance, when it comes to RAM, is ECC or error correcting code. This is implemented onto the RAM itself. What is does is detect and then correct data corruption. This typically renders a system immune to single-bit data errors. Other than that the only real form of fault tolerance when it comes to RAM is to make it deteriorate slower. Radiation and its influence on semiconductors is what causes memory is deteriorate. Engineers have combatted this by implementing better design and built-in repair functions.
Common Issues
The most common issues when it comes to RAM is hardware failure or RAM not being fully plugged in. Hardware failure happens over time and is impossible to avoid. This can cause issues simply because the memory isn't operating normally. RAM not being plugged in can cause issues obviously because the memory isn't fully connected. The symptoms of these issues are the same however. They include bluescreens, random crashes (especially when launching programs), distorted graphics on screen, or the computer turns on but doesn't display anything or simply won't boot.
Diagnostic Tools
One tool that can be used to easily find an issue or help find an issue is the task manager. This can give information about speed, form factor, frequency, and also provides a visual representation of performance with a graph. If more information is needed however, another tool a technician could use is the windows memory diagnostic tool. This will automatically search for detectable issues with the memory
Works Cited
Information:
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:100837...
- https://technick.net/guides/hardware/umg/05_001/
- https://sites.google.com/site/webtech1009/computer...
- https://www.howtogeek.com/260813/how-to-test-your-...
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_memory
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory
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