PC Hardware A Beginner’s Guide

Chapter 7: Computer Memory^131

from the PC to be reprogrammed. An EEPROM can be reprogrammed, a process

calledflashing, using specialized software that runs on your PC. An EEPROM is

also referred to asflash ROM. Flashing lets you upgrade your computer’s BIOS

easily without removing and replacing the ROM chip. Chapter 4 discusses the

pros and cons of flashing your system ROM.

One thing that all DIP chips suffer from (see “DIP Packaging” later in the chapter), in-
cluding removable and replaceable PROMs and EPROMs, is a condition calledchip creep.
DIP chips are inserted into what are calledthrough-hole socketsand can and do squirm out

Figure 7-2. An EPROM chip showing its erasing window

Figure 7-1. A ROM chip on a computer motherboard

ROM chip