| Author | Comment |
Kupo
Probe
Posted: 29 Aug 2004
10:43 GMT
Total Posts: 11 | Ok, I just ordered a TI-84+S/E for my algebra 2 class off eBay, and I was just re-checking its stats on the Comparison Charts at this site. It said (Quote)"Available memory: 24KB RAM, 1.54MB Flash ROM."
I assumed when it said RAM it meant like computer RAM. Then I read this for the TI-86, "With 128K total memory and 96K user available RAM..."
What does it mean when it says, User Available? As far as computers are concerned, you can't really "use" RAM. And Flash ROM is just like hard-drive space, right? |
allynfolksjr
Administrator
Posted: 29 Aug 2004
11:10 GMT
Total Posts: 1892 | Ok, 'Flash' ROM is really EEPROM, or the same techology that runs most modern BIOS chips. The Flash ROM acts like a harddrive for the calcualtor, even though it's not techincally a HD.
TI's Operating Systems reserve some amounts of RAM and Archive for storage and calculations. |
ShockTroop
Goliath
Posted: 29 Aug 2004
13:10 GMT
Total Posts: 170 | Calc RAM is pretty much a hard drive, and Flash is sort of a secondary hard drive. I think user available has something to do with the RAM you can access, as opposed to the kind you can't (whatever that is, I probably don't even know what I'm talking about...). |
Ray Kremer
Ultralisk
Posted: 30 Aug 2004
07:54 GMT
Total Posts: 310 | Okay, let's get some of our terminology straight here. The problem with storage is that disk drives require moving parts and that gets messy on a hand held device.
Now, when your computer is running, all the stuff that Windows is doing at any one time is held in RAM. If you're working on a document in Word or something, that is also in RAM. Notice it only works while the power is on, if you turn the computer off, everything that was in RAM is gone.
For the calculator, the operating system also uses RAM to do what it does. Files are also stored in RAM, even the ones you are not currently using. This is why you lose the memory if the batteries all get pulled. Since RAM is used for both, this is why you get the "user available RAM" thing, the system must reserve enough for the OS to run. Notice that the intent is different, RAM on the calculator is used for long term storage while RAM on a PC is just for short term, again this is because any sort of magnetic disk drive would be impossible to do on a handheld but is easy on a PC. (The save game slots on console video game cartridges also use RAM and a battery to hold your progress.)
Flash ROM is a newer storage medium, it does not require power so the contents stay even without batteries. Those keychain USB drives are Flash ROM, as are the save game cards used by disc based console video game systems. Again it's not a hard drive, but the intent is the same, long term storage that does not require power to maintain. |
