Definition

read-only memory (ROM)

ROM is "built-in" computer memory containing data that normally can only be read, not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to be "booted up" or regenerated each time you turn it on. Unlike a computer's random access memory (RAM), the data in ROM is not lost when the computer power is turned off. The ROM is sustained by a small long-life battery in your computer.

If you ever do the hardware setup procedure with your computer, you effectively will be writing to ROM.

This was last updated in April 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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