base memory
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base memory
(hardware, jargon)The lowest 640 kilobytes of memory in an
IBM PC-compatible computer running MS-DOS. Other PC
operating systems can usually compensate and "ignore" the
fact that there is a 640K limit to base memory. This was put
in place because the original CPU - the Intel 8088 - could
only access one megabyte of memory, and IBM wanted to
reserve the upper 384KB for device drivers. The high memory area (HMA) lies above 640KB and can be accessed on
MS-DOS computers that have an A20 handler.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
base memory
The amount of RAM that comes with each model of a particular computer. The base memory can usually be upgraded to a significantly higher amount. For example, a desktop machine with 256MB might be upgradable to 1GB.Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.