Lesson Plan

Afternoon Coursework

• Complete ITCSS 2000 Hardware Lab
• Complete assignment.

Assignment (For Marks)

Assignment #: DC07
Assignment: RAM Types
Due: Oct 21/99
Marks: 10 marks

You are the new guy on the block at a computer hardware company. You are sitting at the lunchroom table and they are talking about different types of memory that computers have - each person being a different department happens to have a different perspective. What you learn from the meeting is that there are many more types of memory than you originally thought and that each has its own particular use. You couldn't remember all the discussions, but were able to jot down most of the names. Your plan is to brush up on all the types, drop a few at the next lunch in front of your boss and be in line for the next big promotion! :) The following table contains various different types of memory:

The goal of the assignment is to locate information about each of the types of memory. Be as specific as you can. You should have about/at least a paragraph describing each type. You should include what the acronym stands for, a description of the memory, its performance/speed (if applicable), storage size, and where it is used. You are free to use your book and any other Web resources.

Some Web resources to get you started include:

• http://www.pcguide.com/index.htm
• http://www.zdwebopedia.com/

ITCSS 2000 Hardware Lab

Removing / Installing RAM

Tasks

1. Power on the workstation / reboot.
2. Enter the CMOS setup program.
3. Determine the amount of memory reported by the system.
4. Record the amount of memory reported.
5. Power off the lab workstation.
6. Unplug the power cord.
7. Remove the case from the lab workstation.
8. Locate the SIMM banks on your systemboard.
9. Remove the SIMM from from the systemboard.
10. Plug in the power cord.
11. Power on the PC and observe the results.
12. Enter the CMOS setup program.
13. Determine the amount of memory reported by the system.
14. Place the SIMM at a 45-degree angle and then gently snap into place.
15. After the SIMM has been installed, replace the case.
16. Plug in the power cord.
17. Power on you lab workstation.
18. Enter the CMOS setup program.
19. Verify that the setup program recognize the correct amount of memory.
20. Save the changes and reboot the workstation.
21. Allow your lab workstation to boot into Windows 95.
22. Right click the My Computer icons.
23. Select Properties from the menu.
24. On the General tab, locate the Computer heading.
25. Verify that Windows 95 is utilizing all of the installed memory.

Lab Notes

What is conventional memory? - Conventional memory, or base memory, is the first 640K of RAM.

What is the upper memory? - Upper memory addresses starting at 641K and up to 1024K.

What is extended memory? - Memory addresses about 1024K are referred to as residing in the extended memory.

What is expanded memory? - Expanded memory is memory that falls outside of the linear memory addressing scheme. Note that expanded memory is normally accessed via upper memory.

What is virtual memory? - Virtual memory is an area for secondary storage set aside to be used as an area of RAM. Note that because it is secondary storage the access time is considerable slower than that of RAM.

Memory Management in Windows 95

Tasks - Disabling the Windows 95 Swap File

1. Allow you lab workstation to boot into windows 95.
2. Right click the My Computer icon.
3. Select Properties from the menu.
4. Click the Performance tab.
5. Click the Virtual Memory button.
6. Click the Let me specify my own virtual memory setting option button.
7. Place a check mark in the Disable virtual memory check box.
8. Click the Yes button on the confirmation message.
9. Click the Close button.
10. Click the Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.
11. Observe and describe the results.

Tasks - Specifying a Permanent Swap File

1. Allow your lab workstation to boot into Windows 95.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon.
3. Select Properties from the menu.
4. Click the Performance tab.
5. Click the Virtual Memory button.
6. Click the Let me specify my own virtual memory setting option button.
7. Clear the check mark from the Disable virtual memory check box.
8. Set the minimum swap file size to 150MB.
9. Set the maximum swap file size to 150MB.
10. Click OK.
11. Click the Yes button on the confirmation message.
12. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.
13. Observe and describe the results.

Tasks - Allowing Windows to Manage Its Virtual Memory

1. Allow your computer to boot into Windows 95.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon.
3. Select Properties from the menu.
4. Click the Performance tab.
5. Click the Virtual Memory button.
6. Click the Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings option button.
7. Click the OK button on the confirmation message.
8. Click the Yes button on the confirmation message.
9. Click the Close button.
10. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.
11. Observe and describe the results.

Lab Notes

What is Windows doing when it manages my virtual memory? - By default, Windows 95 will manage your virtual memory. This means that is will size and resize your swap file as it sees fit. In most circumstances this is the recommended memory management method.

What is a memory conflict, and how does it occur? - A memory conflict occurs when two or more applications attempt to use the same memory address or address range.

What is an illegal operation? - These errors vary depending on the situation. You can find out exactly which applications were involved by clicking the Details button. Many times these errors are GPFs and should be handled accordingly.