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Memory systems. Unit objectives: Describe the function of memory and differentiate among various types of memory chips Differentiate among the various memory packages Install RAM into a system while handling it properly and meeting your PC’s installation requirements Monitor memory usage
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Memory systems Unit objectives: • Describe the function of memory and differentiate among various types of memory chips • Differentiate among the various memory packages • Install RAM into a system while handling it properly and meeting your PC’s installation requirements • Monitor memory usage • Troubleshoot memory problems
Topic A • Topic A: Memory • Topic B: Memory packaging • Topic C: Memory installation • Topic D: Memory monitoring • Topic E: Memory troubleshooting
Memory • RAM: random access memory • Working area for data during processing • Need sufficient RAM for • Performance • Software support • Quality of RAM is important
Measuring memory • Cells • Store a single bit of data • 0 or 1 • Represents on/off or yes/no • Measurement units • Bit • Nibble = 4 bits • Byte = 8 bits • Word = based on CPU • 32-bit processor: 32-bit word • 64-bit processor: 64-bit word
Larger memory units • Byte (B) = 8 bits • Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes = 210 bytes • Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB = 220 bytes • Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB = 230 bytes • Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB = 240 bytes
Memory types • Classify memory as: • Volatile vs. non-volatile • Static vs. dynamic • Asynchronous vs. synchronous
Volatile vs. non-volatile memory • Volatile: Loses contents without power • Non-volatile: Keeps contents without power
Dynamic vs. static memory • Dynamic (DRAM) • Must be continually refreshed • Inexpensive • Physically small chips • Static (SRAM) • Refreshing not required • More expensive • Larger • Faster • Typical uses • Main system memory: DRAM • Cache memory and CMOS: SRAM
Asynchronous vs. synchronous • Asynchronous • Not synchronized to system clock • Consistent time to access and read data • Synchronous • Synchronized to system clock • Accesses data and returns in one or more clock cycles • SDRAM faster than ADRAM
Memory access types continued
Access time • Latency • Memory speed • Nanoseconds vs. megahertz • Overall speed • Doesn’t include latency • Bandwidth
Activity A-1 Identifying memory characteristics
Topic B • Topic A: Memory • Topic B: Memory packaging • Topic C: Memory installation • Topic D: Memory monitoring • Topic E: Memory troubleshooting
Packaging • Early PCs used individual DRAM chips continued
Packaging, continued • Package • Small circuit board • More commonly called a module • Installed in slot • Module contains • Memory chips • Connecting wires • Support chips • Pins or edge contacts
Single- and double-sided modules • Early DRAM had chips on just one side • Double memory by placing chips on both sides • Double-sided modules have two rows of pins at bottom • Pins on front aren’t connected to pins on back • Number of chips no longer has a 1:1 chip-to-bit limit
Package types • SIMM 30-pin – ADRAM • SIMM 72-pin – ADRAM • DIMM 168-pin – SDR SDRAM • DIMM 184-pin – DDR SDRAM • DIMM 240-pin • DDR2 • DDR3 • RIMM • 184-pin – 16-bit • 232-pin – 32--bit continued
Package types, continued • MicroDIMM 144-pin • SODIMM 144-pin – SDR SDRAM • SODIMM 200-pin • DDR • DDR2 • SODIMM 204-pin – DDR3 SDRAM
Modules and chips • PC100 and PC133 use SDRAM • PC1600, PC2100, PC2700, and PC3200 use DDR SDRAM • PC2-3200, PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, and PC28500 use DDR2 SDRAM • PC3-6400, PC3-8500, PC3-10600, and PC3-12800 use DDR3 SDRAM
Memory error recovery • Parity — Detects an error • Even • Odd • Mark • Space • ECC — Detects and corrects an error • Desktop memory — No parity or ECC • Server memory — Often includes parity or ECC
Parity 8 chips, no parity 9 chips, supportsparity
Activity B-1 Comparing RAM packaging
Topic C • Topic A: Memory • Topic B: Memory packaging • Topic C: Memory installation • Topic D: Memory monitoring • Topic E: Memory troubleshooting
Memory installation considerations • Banking requirements • Proper handling techniques • Slot insertion techniques • Safe storage • BIOS configuration
Banking requirements • Install memory in groups called banks • Bank might include 1, 2, or 4 slots • Must fill every slot in a bank • Might have to use same type and speed of memory in every slot • Leave extra banks empty • With DRDRAM, install continuity modules • Dual-channel architecture
Proper handling • Unplug computer before opening it • Dissipate static • Move around as little as possible • Always handle modules by their edges
Inserting memory modules SIMM • Insert module at 45-degree angle • While pushing into slot, move module to fully vertical or horizontal position. Clips should engage automatically when module is fully seated DIMM • Spread retaining clips before insertion • Insert the module straight into the slot, perpendicular to the motherboard • Push firmly until the retaining clips snap into place on either side
Removing a module SIMM • Gently release the retaining clips at both ends of the module • Move the module to a 45-degree angle if it doesn’t do so automatically • Remove the module DIMM • Release the retaining clips on both ends of the module • Remove the module by pulling it straight up from the slot
CMOS configuration • BIOS checks memory at boot • Compares actual memory with CMOS entry • Follow prompt to update CMOS entry
Activity C-1 Adding memory to a desktop computer
Notebook memory • Location varies from notebook to notebook • Refer to documentation • Shut down notebook, unplug cord, and remove battery
Shared video memory • Main system memory shared with video circuitry • No dedicated video memory • Reduces cost • Uses less power; generates less heat • Not all RAM is available to OS and applications (does not show as present) • Slower than dedicated video memory • Add more system memory to increase performance
Activity C-2 Adding memory to a notebook computer
Memory in handheld computers • Expandable memory, a feature of more expensive handhelds • Some use modules similar to those in notebooks • Most use memory cards similar to those in digital cameras • Have a slot for inserting a flash memory card • Consult the manual
Activity C-3 Adding memory to a handheld computer
Topic D • Topic A: Memory • Topic B: Memory packaging • Topic C: Memory installation • Topic D: Memory monitoring • Topic E: Memory troubleshooting
Task Manager • Windows GUI utility • Provides information on processes running • Version available in all Windows OSs • Windows 9x/Me Program List • Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 Task Manager • Access: • Ctrl + Alt + Delete • Right-click empty space in the taskbar and choose Task Manager • Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Performance tab indicators • CPU Usage • CPU Usage History • Memory (7/Vista) • Physical Memory Usage History (7/Vista) • PF Usage (XP/2000) • Page File Usage History (XP/ 2000) continued
Performance tab indicators, continued • System (7/Vista) • Totals (XP/2000) • Physical Memory • Commit Charge • Kernel Memory • Summary data
Activity D-1 Monitoring memory usage
Optimizing the page file • On boot partition by default • Determined by amount of RAM • Size automatically increases or decreases for best performance • Can manually override the settings • Page file size range: • RAM × 1.5 to 3.0 • System’s peak commit value • Can move file to different hard disk
Changing page file size • In Windows 7/Vista, click Start, right-click Computer, and choose PropertiesIn Windows 2000 /XP, right-click My Computer and choose Properties • In Windows 7/Vista, click Advanced system settingsIn Windows 2000/XP, activate the Advanced tab 3. In the Performance section, click Settings, and then activate the Advanced tab 4 In the Virtual memory section, click Change 5 Clear Automatically manage paging file size for all drives 6 Select Custom Size, and set the initial and maximum size
Activity D-2 Changing the size of the Windows page file
Topic E • Topic A: Memory • Topic B: Memory packaging • Topic C: Memory installation • Topic D: Memory monitoring • Topic E: Memory troubleshooting
Memory testing • POST not sufficient • Use testing utility • Memtest86 — Free, open source • Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic — Free, unsupported • Boot from floppy or CD
Memory-related problems • 201 BIOS error code at boot time • Parity error message • Computer randomly freezes (locks up) or crashes • Wrong amount of memory reported by the BIOS • Windows reports Page Fault or Exception errors • Random crashes, corrupted data, strange application behavior