What is ROM?

• A. Read Only Memory which comes on a small factory made chip built into the motherboard that is non-volatile memory which contains the computer's BIOS
• B. Random Access Memory
• C. Magnetic tape storage
• D. Optical discs

Answer: (A)

ROM stands for Read-Only Memory, a non-volatile memory stored on a dedicated chip on the motherboard that contains the firmware used to boot the computer, typically the BIOS or UEFI. Because it is non-volatile, its contents stay preserved without power, so the essential startup instructions are always available even when the machine is turned off. In many modern systems, this memory is flash ROM, which can be updated with new firmware, but it still serves as permanent, low-level code that initiates hardware checks and loading of the operating system.

The other options describe different kinds of storage: Random Access Memory is volatile and used for active work, losing its data when power is removed; magnetic tape and optical discs are external storage media used for data storage and backups, not the firmware stored on the motherboard.