NVRAM is an acronym for Non Volatile Random Access Memory. The basic concept of NVRAM is that it retains the data even if the power is off, unlike volatile memory in which the data is lost as the power goes off. NVRAM is part of the RAM (Random Access Memory) family; however, it doesn’t need continuous power in order to retain the information stored in them. Other volatile types of RAM require continuous power like SRAM or DRAM.

The NVRAM has a special integrated circuit chip called as small 24 pin Dual Inline Package. This is designed in a way that it can obtain necessary power, required to retain data, from the motherboard CMOS battery. The NVRAM is used in computers so that it can keep information like MAC (Media Access Control) address, manufacturing date, serial number of the computer, model number etc. NVRAM has several forms in use today. Today, the most common and known form of NVRAM is the USB-Stick or Flash Memory.

NVRAM offers various benefits, some of them are mentioned below:

• NVRAM provides better performance as compared to various other NVM products available.
• Power required for NVRAM chip is quite less and they guarantee backup for almost 10 years backup.
• NVRAM are ideal for those applications that need high-speed R/W operations.

Reasons for NVRAM failure

If your NVRAM is defected or not working properly, there could be various reasons for that. A failure of NVRAM means that your computer performance will be badly affected and it might lose stability. It is because all the necessary information and settings of your computer hardware is required by the BIOS and all this information is stored in the NVRAM. If this information is not retained in the NVRAM, then the BIOS won’t be able to read the settings of your hardware; hence affecting the performance of your computer. Two very common reasons for NVRAM failure are listed below:

• One of the common reasons for NVRAM failure is the failure of the CMOS chip that is located on your computer’s motherboard. In case if your CMOS has gone bad or is not in proper contact with the motherboard, then the CMOS will fail; causing the NVRAM to fail as well.
• Another very common reason for NVRAM failure is the failure of the embedded battery. NVRAM make use of this battery to power itself and retain the information. If this batter that is embedded in the NVRAM fails, it will result in stopping the system clock of your computer and various important configurations may get affected as well.

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