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CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide

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CHAPTER 4

RAM

In this chapter, you will learn how to

• Identify the different types of DRAM packaging

• Explain the varieties of RAM

• Select and install RAM

• Perform basic RAM troubleshooting

Whenever people come up to me and start professing their computer savvy, I

ask them a few questions to see how much they really know. In case you and

I ever meet and you decide you want to “talk tech” with me, I’ll tell you my

first two questions now so you’ll be ready. Both involve random access

memory (RAM), the working memory for the CPU.

1. “How much RAM is in your computer?”

2. “What is RAM and why is it so important that every PC has enough?”

Can you answer either of these questions? Don’t fret if you can’t—you’ll

know how to answer both before you finish this chapter. Let’s start by

reviewing what you know about RAM thus far.

When not in use, programs and data are held in a mass storage device such

as a solid-state drive (SSD), USB thumb drive, optical drive, or some other

device that can hold data while the computer is off. When you load a program

in Windows, your PC copies the program from the mass storage device to

RAM and then runs it (see Figure 4-1).

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