Management Information

System
M.Com, 1st Year at Central Group of
Colleges

Memory Unit
It is used to store data and
instructions.
PC contains a main memory or
primary storage, which is used to
store data and instructions that are
currently in use.
Memory unit is classified into two
basic types:

RAM (Random Access

Memory)
The main memory or primary.
It is volatile memory
Also called volatile memory.
The programs and data must be
transferred to RAM before to run the
program to process the data.
RAM is further divided into:
oDRAM (Dynamic RAM)
oSRAM (Static RAM)

RAM Modules
RAM chips usually reside on a memory
module, which is a small circuit board.
Memory slots on the mother-board hold
memory modules.
Three types of memory modules are
oSIMMs (Single Inline Memory Module)
oDIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Module)
oRIMMs. (Rambus Inline Memory Module)

RAM Modules

ROM (Read Only Memory)

ROM contains instructions that are permanently
stores by the manufacturers when they
manufacture the chips. The instructions stored
on ROM can only be read and cannot be
modified.
Computer uses the instructions of ROM at the
time of booting for:
o Check different units of computer system
o To load the operating system into computer memory.

ROM is further divided into:

o PROM (Programmable ROM)
o EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM)

ROM Chip

Flash Memory
Flash memory is a type of nonvolatile
memory that can be erased
electronically and rewritten, similar to
EEPROM.
Most computers use flash memory to
hold their startup instructions because it
allows the computer easily to update its
contents.
Flash memory chips also store data and
programs on many mobile computers

Cache Memory
It is similar to RAM but extremely faster.
It is normally used between RAM and CPU.
Cache speeds up processing speed of
computer because CPU stores frequently used
instructions and data in it.
Most PCs today have two types of cache
memories:
o L1 Cache: it is built-in into the processor chip. Its
storage capacity is 8-128KB.
o L2 Cache: it is built directly on the processor chip. Its

CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide

Semiconductor)
Some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and
other memory chips use CMOS technology
because it provides high speeds and consumes
little power.
CMOS technology uses battery power to retain
information even when the power to the
computer is off.
Battery-backed CMOS memory chips, for
example, can keep the calendar, date, and time
current even when the computer is off.
The flash memory chips that store a computers
startup information often use CMOS technology.