rom

• • ROM is primary storage that holds the first instructions a computer needs to start up (Bootstrap)
  • ROM contains the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
  • ROM is a small memory chip located on the computers motherboard
  • ROM is fast memory, much faster than secondary storage but slower than RAM
  • ROM is non-volatile which means the contents of ROM are not lost when the power is turned off
  • ROM is read only which means data can only be read from
  • In comparison to RAM, it has a much smaller capacity
• • The BIOS runs as soon as the computer is switched on.
  • It checks that the hardware is functioning correctly, then runs a second program known as the bootup or bootstrap program that loads the computer's operating system from the hard drive into the RAM.
  • The BIOS is always needed so it is stored in ROM.