RAM = Random access memory
This would be your computer's (or other hardware in question) memory.
RMA = Return Merchandise Authorization
Most companies require you to obtain this first, before returning a product. Usually this is obtained through a customer service or tech support phone line.
BIOS = Basic Input/Output System
"BIOS" is pronounced "bye-ohse". The BIOS is a built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On Personal Computers, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen (computer monitor), disk drives (Yes, Hard drives), serial communications (COM & LPT [printer] ports), and a number of additional miscellaneous functions.
The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself.
Because RAM is faster than ROM, though, many computer manufacturers design systems so that the BIOS is copied from ROM to RAM each time the computer is booted. This is known as "shadowing" the bios.
Modern PCs have a flash BIOS, which means that the BIOS has been recorded on a flash memory chip, which can be updated if necessary.
The PC BIOS is fairly standardized, so all PCs are similar at this level (although there are different BIOS versions). Two main providers of BIOS chip are AWARD and PHOENIX.
It is allowed to make some settings rather then default value in BIOS. These settings are storaged in a 256Byte register. The registers used to be a seperate chip called CMOS, now these registers are integrated in the southchip. We need a backup power supply to help these registers "remember" the settings. This is why we have a large lithium button battery on the motherboard. Every few years these batteries will need replaced.
Oh yea.. and ROM = Read-Only Memory.
The data on a ROM chip can be read by the computer, but cannot be changed. Flash-capable ROM chips are a bit of an exception, but still use the same basic theory
*Swipe examines Meetutu to see if her head has collapsed yet
Anyway... we're suggesting you update your videocard and motherboard BIOS by "flashing" them. Details on flashing can be obtained from your hardware manufacturer usually... and there's also usually a blurb about it in the users manual on most motherboards.
Hope this excessivley detailed information is helpful
—Swipe
But I finally decided to discard my old pre-386 equipment, so I no longer have that stuff 
