This post will introduce you a non-volatile memory – NVRAM, including its definition, main types, advantages and disadvantages. More importantly, if you need to reset NVRAM, you can get the detailed steps from the post.

What Is NVRAM

NVRAM refers to non-volatile random-access memory, which is a kind of random-access memory (RAM). With this memory, your computer will retain data without applied power. It is different from dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and static random-access memory (SRAM) that only maintain data when the power is applied.

Where the NVRAM can be applied to? To get the details and some other information related to NVRAM, keep reading this post of MiniTool. The NVRAM is widely used in laptops. For instance, it is utilized in components like monitor and printers. In addition, the NVRAM can also be found in devices that require remembered settings like cars, smart cards and so on.

Tip: On Mac, volume settings, screen resolution, as well as time zone information are stored in NVRAM.

There are various types of NVRAM memory such as Ferroelectric RAM, FeRAM(F-RAM) and Magneto resistive RAM (MRAM) on the market and are used in various applications on computers. Among them, SRAM and EEPROM are two leading NVRAM types. The EEPROM usually used in the BIOS in many computers.

You should note that the hard drive and other storage devices such as USB flash drive, TF card, U disk are viewed as non-volatile memory.

Recommended article: All the Details about RRAM (Resistive Random-Access Memory)

The Pros and Cons of NVRAM

What are the advantages and disadvantages of NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory)? They are summarized as follows.

Pros

  • Without moving parts, NVRAM has a faster speed in data reading & writing than volatile memory.
  • NVRAM needs less power.

Cons

  • Since NVRAM requires a battery, you need to execute a batter replacement regularly.
  • The NVRAM will deteriorate and fail to work at last because the information is re-written to the flash memory.

To find the difference between RAM and ROM, you can read post to obtain the specs: RAM vs ROM: The Key Differences Between the Two Memory

How to Reset NVRAM on Mac

As mentioned earlier, NVRAM is used in computers and Macs. If the NVRAM corrupts, your computer or Mac will have glitches. What’s worse, your MacOS will fail to start up. What can you do to fix that? You can reset NVRAM to solve the problem.

Here comes the question. How to reset NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory)? To get the details, you can keep an eye on the following content.

This method is considered as the most reliable one to reset NVRAM. How to operate? There is the step-by-step guide for you.

Step 1: Turn off your Mac machine first.

Step 2: Press the Power button to turn on the machine. Once you hear the startup sound, hold the Command, Option, P plus R keys at the same time.

Step 3: Then, the Mac will restart automatically. Now, release the mentioned keys. After a while, you will hear the startup sound once more. During the restart process, NVRAM will be reset and the Mac will boot as usual.

Tip: The things will be different on a late 2016 MacBook Pro and Macs produced after this one, because Apple cancelled the classic startup sound. Given to that fact, you should hit the keys (Command, Option, P plus R keys) after turning on the Mac device for 20 seconds or until it restarts again. Then, the NVRAM can be reset successfully.

You may also be interested in this: What Is RAM Disk & Whether You Should Pick One

The Bottom Line

What is NVRAM? The first section tells you the specific definition and introduces the commonly used NVRAM types. Then, you can find the advantages and disadvantages of NVRAM in the second part. As for the third part, it shows you how to reset NVRAM.

Read here, you may have an overall understanding of NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory). Hope the above information can be helpful for you. Here comes the end of the post.

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