What is ROM?

• A. Random Access Memory
• B. Permanently installed memory on your computer attached to the motherboard. ROM chip contains the BIOS, which tells your computer how to start.
• C. Cache memory
• D. Solid-state drive

Answer: (B)

ROM is non-volatile firmware memory that stores the computer’s startup instructions. It is permanently installed on the motherboard as part of the system firmware, so it retains its contents even when the power is off. This memory typically contains the BIOS or UEFI, which runs at boot to initialize hardware and locate the operating system. That’s why it’s the best description: ROM holds essential, low-level software that tells the computer how to start up. In contrast, RAM is volatile and used for active programs, cache memory is a tiny fast buffer for the CPU, and a solid-state drive is long-term storage for files.