TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which memory type stores important system information related to starting the computer?

1. Flash memory

2. CMOS memory

3. SRAM

4. DDR memory

The correct answer is: CMOS memory

CMOS memory is specifically designed to store essential system information that is critical for the computer's startup process. This type of memory retains settings for the system clock, boot sequence, and hardware configurations even when the computer is powered off, due to its reliance on a small backup battery. The data stored in CMOS memory is accessed by the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) during the booting process, which helps the system to initialize hardware components and load the operating system. Other types of memory, such as flash memory, SRAM, and DDR memory, serve different purposes. Flash memory is commonly used for storage in devices like SSDs and USB drives, but it does not play a role in storing system configuration during startup. SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is primarily used for cache memory in processors due to its speed but is volatile and does not retain data without power. DDR (Double Data Rate) memory refers to a type of RAM used for system memory that temporarily holds data being processed but does not retain system configuration information when the power is off.