A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z
A
ampere(s)
AC
alternating current
adapter card
An expansion card that plugs into an expansion-card connector on the computer's system board. An adapter card adds some specialized function to the computer by providing an interface between the expansion bus and a peripheral device. Examples of adapter cards include network cards, sound cards, and SCSI adapters.
ADC
analog-to-digital converter
ADI
Autodesk Device Interface
AI
artificial intelligence
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
application program
Software designed to help you perform a specific task, such as a spreadsheet or word processor. Application programs are distinct from operating system and utility software.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A text file containing only characters from the ASCII character set (usually created with a text editor, such as MS-DOS Editor or Notepad in Windows®), is called an ASCII file.
ASIC
application-specific integrated circuit
ASPI®
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface
autoexec.bat file
When you boot your computer, MS-DOS runs any commands contained in the text file, autoexec.bat (after running any commands in the config.sys file). An autoexec.bat file is not required to boot MS-DOS, but provides a convenient place to run commands that are essential for setting up a consistent computing environment—such as loading mouse or network software.
backup
A copy of a program or data file. As a precaution, you should back up your computer's hard-disk drive on a regular basis. Before making a change to the configuration of your computer, you should back up important start-up files, such as autoexec.bat and config.sys for MS-DOS or win.ini and system.ini for Windows.
base memory
Synonym for conventional memory. See also conventional memory.
BASIC
Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a programming language. MS-DOS includes a version of BASIC.
batch file
An ASCII text file containing a list of commands that run in sequence. Batch files must have a filename extension of bat.
baud rate
Data transmission speed. For example, modems are designed to transmit data at one or more specified baud rate(s) through the COM (serial) port of a computer.
BBS
Bulletin board service. A computer system that serves as a central location for accessing data or relaying messages by modem. For example, Dell's TechConnect BBS contains the latest version of software such as video drivers and the Dell Directory. If your system has a modem, you can access the BBS and download the most recent version of this software.
beep code
A diagnostic system message in the form of a series of beeps from your computer's speaker. Refer to your Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for a complete discussion of system beep codes.
BIOS
Acronym for basic input/output system. Your computer's BIOS contains programs stored on a ROM chip. The BIOS controls the following:
bit
The smallest unit of information interpreted by your computer.
A typical unit of disk storage consisting of a small number of sectors. This term usually refers to the fundamental unit of storage provided by an operating system. See also block size and striping.
The size of a block. See also block and striping.
boot routine
When you start your computer, it clears all memory, initializes devices, and loads the operating system. Unless the operating system fails to respond, you can reboot (also called warm boot) your computer by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>; otherwise, you must perform a cold boot by pressing the reset button (if your computer has one) or by turning the computer off and then back on.
bootable diskette
You can start your computer from a diskette in drive A. To make a bootable diskette, insert a diskette in drive A, type sys a: at the command line prompt, and then press <Enter>. Use this bootable diskette if your computer will not boot from the hard-disk drive.
bpi
bits per inch
bps
bits per second
BTU
British thermal unit
bus
A bus forms an information pathway between the components of a computer. Your computer contains an expansion bus that allows the microprocessor to communicate with controllers for all the various peripheral devices connected to the computer. Your computer also contains an address bus and a data bus for communications between the microprocessor and RAM.
byte
Eight contiguous bits of information, the basic data unit used by your computer.
BZT
Bundesamt fur Zulassungen in der Telekommunikation
C
Celsius
cache
To facilitate quicker data retrieval, a storage area for keeping a copy of data or instructions. For example, your computer's BIOS may cache ROM code in faster RAM. Or a disk-cache utility may reserve RAM in which to store frequently accessed information from your computer's disk drives; when a program makes a request to a disk drive for data that is in the cache, the disk-cache utility can retrieve the data from RAM faster than from the disk drive.
card-edge connector
On the bottom of an expansion card, the metal-contact section that plugs into an expansion-card connector.
CCFT
cold cathode fluorescent tube
CD-ROM
Compact disc read-only memory. CD-ROM drives use optical technology to read data from compact discs. Compact discs are read-only storage devices; you cannot write new data to a compact disc with standard CD-ROM drives.
CGA
color graphics adapter
cm
centimeter(s)
CMOS
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. In computers, CMOS memory chips are often used for NVRAM storage.
COMn
The MS-DOS device names for the first through fourth serial ports on your computer are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. MS-DOS supports up to four serial ports. However, the default interrupt for COM1 and COM3 is IRQ4, and the default interrupt for COM2 and COM4 is IRQ3. Therefore, you must be careful when configuring software that runs a serial device so that you do not create an interrupt conflict.
CON
The MS-DOS device name for the console, which includes your computer's keyboard and text displayed on the screen.
config.sys file
When you boot your computer, MS-DOS runs any commands contained in the text file, config.sys (before running any commands in the autoexec.bat file). A config.sys file is not required to boot MS-DOS, but provides a convenient place to run commands that are essential for setting up a consistent computing environment—such as loading device drivers with a device= statement.
controller
A chip or expansion card that controls the transfer of data between the microprocessor and a peripheral, such as a disk drive or the keyboard.
The first 640 KB of RAM. Unless they are specially designed, MS-DOS programs are limited to running in conventional memory. See also EMM, expanded memory, extended memory, HMA, memory manager, upper memory area, and XMM.
A coprocessor relieves the computer's microprocessor of specific processing tasks. A math coprocessor, for example, handles numeric processing. A graphics coprocessor handles video rendering. The Intel® Pentium® microprocessor includes an integrated math coprocessor.
cpi
characters per inch
CPU
Central processing unit. See also microprocessor.
cursor
In character-based MS-DOS programs, the cursor is usually a block or an underscore (possibly blinking) that represents the position at which the next character typed will appear. Windows programs can design their own cursors—common cursor symbols include the pointer arrow and the text-insertion I-beam.
DAC
digital-to-analog converter
DAT
digital audio tape
dB
decibel(s)
dBA
adjusted decibel(s)
DC
direct current
device driver
A device driver allows the operating system or a program to interface correctly with a peripheral, such as a printer or network card. Some device drivers—such as network drivers—must be loaded from the config.sys file (with a device= statement) or as memory-resident programs (usually, from the autoexec.bat file). Others—such as video drivers—must load when you start the program for which they were designed.
diagnostics
See diskette-based diagnostics.
DIMM
dual in-line memory module
DIN
Deutsche Industrie Norm
DIP
Dual in-line package. A circuit board, such as a system board or expansion card, may contain DIP switches for configuring the circuit board. DIP switches are always toggle switches, with an ON position and an OFF position.
directory
Directories help keep related files organized on a disk in a hierarchical, "inverted tree" structure. Each disk has a "root" directory; for example, a C:\> prompt normally indicates that you are at the root directory of hard-disk drive C. Additional directories that branch off of the root directory are called subdirectories. Subdirectories may contain additional directories branching off of them.
A comprehensive set of diagnostic tests for your Dell computer. To use the diskette-based diagnostics, you must boot your computer from the Dell Diagnostics Diskette. See your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for a complete discussion about how to use the diskette-based diagnostics.
display adapter
See video adapter.
DMA
Direct memory access. A DMA channel allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the microprocessor.
DOC
Department of Communications (in Canada)
dpi
dots per inch
DPMS
Display Power Management Signaling. A standard developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association that defines the hardware signals sent by a video controller to activate power management states in a video display or monitor. A monitor is said to be DPMS-compliant when it is designed to enter a power management state after receiving the appropriate signal from a computer's video controller.
DRAC
Dell Remote Assistant Card
DRAM
Dynamic random-access memory. A computer's RAM is usually made up entirely of DRAM chips. Because DRAM chips cannot store an electrical charge indefinitely, your computer continually refreshes each DRAM chip in the computer.
drive-type number
Your computer can recognize a number of specific hard-disk drives. Each is assigned a drive-type number that is stored in NVRAM. The hard-disk drive(s) specified in your computer's System Setup program must match the actual drive(s) installed in the computer. The System Setup program also allows you to specify physical parameters (cylinders, heads, write precomp, landing zone, and capacity) for drives not included in the table of drive types stored in NVRAM.
DS/DD
double-sided/double-density
DS/HD
double-sided/high-density
DTE
Data terminal equipment. Any device (such as a computer system) that can send data in digital form by means of a cable or communications line. The DTE is connected to the cable or communications line through a data communications equipment (DCE) device, such as a modem.
ECC
error checking and correction
ECP
Extended Capabilities Port
EDO
Extended-data output. A type of RAM chip that holds data on the chip's output data lines for a longer period of time than fast-page mode RAM chips. The EDO RAM chips are also faster than fast-page mode RAM chips.
EEPROM
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
EGA
enhanced graphics adapter
EISA
Extended Industry-Standard Architecture, a 32-bit expansion-bus design. The expansion-card connectors in an EISA computer are also compatible with 8- or 16-bit ISA expansion cards.
To avoid a configuration conflict when installing an EISA expansion card, you must use the EISA Configuration Utility. This utility allows you to specify which expansion slot contains the card and obtains information about the card's required system resources from a corresponding EISA configuration file.
EMC
Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMI
electromagnetic interference
Expanded memory manager. A software utility that uses extended memory to emulate expanded memory on computers with an Intel386™ or higher microprocessor. See also conventional memory, expanded memory, extended memory, memory manager, and XMM.
Expanded Memory Specification. See also expanded memory, memory manager, and XMS.
EPROM
erasable programmable read-only memory
ESD
Electrostatic discharge. See "Safety Instructions" for a complete discussion of ESD.
ESDI
enhanced small-device interface
A technique for accessing RAM above 1 MB. To enable expanded memory on your computer, you must use an EMM. You should configure your system to support expanded memory only if you run application programs that can use (or require) expanded memory. See also conventional memory, EMM, extended memory, and memory manager.
expansion bus
Your computer contains an expansion bus that allows the microprocessor to communicate with controllers for peripheral devices, such as a network card or an internal modem.
expansion-card connector
A connector on the computer's system board for plugging in an expansion card.
RAM above 1 MB. Most software that can use it, such as the Windows operating system, requires that extended memory be under the control of an XMM. See also conventional memory, expanded memory, memory manager, and XMM.
external cache memory
A RAM cache using SRAM chips. Because SRAM chips operate at several times the speed of DRAM chips, the microprocessor can retrieve data and instructions faster from external cache memory than from RAM.
F
Fahrenheit
FAT
Acronym for file allocation table. The file system structure used by MS-DOS to organize and keep track of file storage. The Microsoft Windows NT® operating system can optionally use a FAT file system structure.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
flash memory
A type of EEPROM chip that can be reprogrammed from a utility on diskette while still installed in a computer; most EEPROM chips can only be rewritten with special programming equipment.
format
To prepare a hard-disk drive or diskette for storing files. An unconditional format deletes all data stored on the disk. The format command in MS-DOS 5.0 or higher includes an option that allows you to unformat a disk, if you have not yet used the disk for file storage.
ft
feet
FTP
File Transfer Protocol
g
gram(s)
G
gravities
GB
Gigabyte(s). A gigabyte equals 1,024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
graphics coprocessor
See coprocessor.
graphics mode
See video mode.
A type of data redundancy that uses a set of physical drives to store data and a single, additional drive to store parity data. Using guarding, the user's data is protected from the loss of a single drive. Guarding is sometimes preferred over mirroring because it is more cost effective in systems with a very high storage capacity. However, guarded configurations are significantly slower for applications that frequently write to the array, because each attempt to write to the array requires multiple read and write commands to maintain the parity information. If this is a problem, mirroring or duplexing is a better choice. See also mirroring, RAID 4, and RAID 5.
GUI
graphical user interface
h
Hexadecimal. A base-16 numbering system, often used in programming to identify addresses in the computer's RAM and I/O memory addresses for devices. The sequence of decimal numbers from 0 through 16, for example, is expressed in hexadecimal notation as: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, 10. In text, hexadecimal numbers are often followed by h or preceded by 0x. MS-DOS conventional memory—the first 640 KB of memory addresses—is from 00000h to 9FFFFh; the MS-DOS upper memory area—memory addresses between 640 KB and 1 MB—is from A0000h to FFFFFh.
heat sink
A metal plate with metal pegs or ribs that help dissipate heat. Some microprocessors include a heat sink.
High memory area. The first 64 KB of extended memory above 1 MB. A memory manager that conforms to the XMS can make the HMA a direct extension of conventional memory. See also conventional memory, memory manager, upper memory area, and XMM.
host adapter
A host adapter implements communication between the computer's bus and the controller for a peripheral. (Hard-disk drive controller subsystems include integrated host adapter circuitry.) To add a SCSI expansion bus to your system, you must install the appropriate host adapter.
HPFS
High Performance File System option in the Windows NT operating system.
Hz
hertz
I/O
Input/output. The keyboard and a printer, for example, are I/O devices. In general, I/O activity can be differentiated from computational activity. For example, when a program sends a document to the printer, it is engaging in I/O activity; when the program sorts a list of terms, it is engaging in computational activity.
ID
identification
interlacing
A technique for increasing video resolution by only updating alternate horizontal lines on the screen. Because interlacing can result in noticeable screen flicker, most users prefer noninterlaced video adapter resolutions.
internal microprocessor cache
An instruction and data cache built into the microprocessor. The Pentium microprocessor, for example, includes a 16-KB internal cache, which is set up as an 8-KB read-only instruction cache and an 8-KB read/write data cache.
IP
Internet Protocol
IPX
Internetwork Packet eXchange
IRQ
Interrupt request. A signal that data is about to be sent to or received by a peripheral travels by an IRQ line to the microprocessor. Each peripheral connection must be assigned an IRQ number. For example, the first serial port in your computer (COM1) is assigned to IRQ4 by default. Two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, but you cannot operate both devices simultaneously.
ISA
Industry-Standard Architecture. A 16-bit expansion bus design. The expansion-card connectors in an ISA computer are also compatible with 8-bit ISA expansion cards.
ITE
information technology equipment
JEIDA
Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association
K
kilo-, indicating 1,000.
KB
kilobyte(s), 1,024 bytes.
KB/sec
kilobyte(s) per second
Kb(s)
kilobit(s), 1,024 bits.
Kbps
kilobit(s) per second
key combination
A command requiring that you press multiple keys at the same time. For example, you can reboot your computer by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key combination.
kg
kilogram(s), 1,000 grams.
kHz
kilohertz, 1,000 hertz.
LAN
Local area network. A LAN system is usually confined to the same building or a few nearby buildings, with all equipment linked by wiring dedicated specifically to the LAN.
lb
pound(s)
LCD
Liquid crystal display. A low-power display often used for notebook computers. An LCD consists of a liquid crystal solution between two sheets of polarizing material. An electric current causes each crystal to act like a shutter that can open to allow light past or close to block the light.
LED
Light-emitting diode. An electronic device that lights up when a current is passed through it.
LIF
Low insertion force. Some computers use LIF sockets and connectors to allow devices such as the microprocessor chip to be installed or removed with minimal stress to the device.
LIM
Lotus/Intel/Microsoft. LIM usually refers to version 4.0 of the EMS.
LN
load number
local bus
On a computer with local-bus expansion capability, certain peripheral devices (such as the video adapter circuitry) can be designed to run much faster than they would with a traditional expansion bus. Some local-bus designs allow peripherals to run at the same speed and with the same width data path as the computer's microprocessor.
LPTn
The MS-DOS device names for the first through third parallel printer ports on your computer are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.
LUN
logical unit number
LVD
low voltage differential
m
meter(s)
mA
milliampere(s)
mAh
milliampere-hour(s)
math coprocessor
See coprocessor.
MB
Megabyte(s). The term megabyte means 1,048,576 bytes; however, when referring to hard-disk drive storage, the term is often rounded to mean 1,000,000 bytes.
MBR
master boot record
MDA
monochrome display adapter
memory
A computer can contain several different forms of memory, such as RAM, ROM, and video memory. Frequently, the word memory is used as a synonym for RAM; for example, an unqualified statement such as "a computer with 8 MB of memory" refers to a computer with 8 MB of RAM.
memory address
A specific location, usually expressed as a hexadecimal number, in the computer's RAM.
A utility that controls the implementation of memory in addition to conventional memory, such as extended or expanded memory. See also conventional memory, EMM, expanded memory, extended memory, HMA, upper memory area, and XMM.
MGA
monochrome graphics adapter
MHz
megahertz
Because it is the primary computational chip inside the computer, it is customary to refer to the microprocessor as "the computer's brain." The microprocessor contains an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit. Software written for one microprocessor must usually be revised to run on another microprocessor. CPU is a synonym for microprocessor.
min
minute(s)
A type of data redundancy that uses a set of physical drives to store data and one or more sets of additional drives to store duplicate copies of the data. Mirroring is the preferred data redundancy technique in lower-capacity systems and in systems where performance is extremely important. See also guarding, RAID 1, and RAID 10.
mm
millimeter(s)
MMX
The microprocessors for this system include media enhancement technology that is designed to handle complex multimedia and communications software.
mouse
A pointing device that controls the movement of the cursor on a screen. Mouse-aware software allows you to activate commands by clicking a mouse button while pointing at objects displayed on the screen.
ms
millisecond(s)
MS-DOS®
Microsoft Disk Operating System
MTBF
mean time between failures
multifrequency monitor
A monitor that supports several video standards. A multifrequency monitor can adjust to the frequency range of the signal from a variety of video adapters.
mV
millivolt(s)
NiCad
nickel cadmium
NiMH
nickel-metal hydride
NLM
NetWare® Loadable Module
NMI
Nonmaskable interrupt. A device sends an NMI to signal the microprocessor about hardware errors, such as a parity error.
noninterlaced
A technique for decreasing screen flicker by sequentially refreshing each horizontal line on the screen.
ns
Nanosecond(s), one billionth of a second.
NTFS
NT File System option in the Windows NT operating system.
NVRAM
Nonvolatile random-access memory. Memory that does not lose its contents when you turn off your computer. NVRAM is used for maintaining the date, time, and system setup options.
OTP
one-time programmable
parallel port
An I/O port used most often to connect a parallel printer to your computer. You can usually identify a parallel port on your computer by its 25-hole connector.
A value or option that you specify to a program. A parameter is sometimes called a switch or an argument.
partition
You can divide a hard-disk drive into multiple physical sections called partitions with the fdisk command. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives. For example, you could partition a 200-MB hard-disk drive into two physically separate partitions with three logical drive assignments, as shown in the following table.
Partitioning the Hard-Disk Drive
| Physical Partitions and Sizes |
|---|
| Partition 1 120 MB; Partition 2 80 MB |
| Logical Drive Assignments and Sizes |
| Drive C 120 MB; Drive D 50 MB; Drive E 30 MB |
After partitioning the hard-disk drive, you must format each logical drive with the format command.
Slightly larger than a credit card, a PC Card is a removable I/O card—such as a modem, LAN, SRAM, or flash memory card—that adheres to the PCMCIA standards. See also PCMCIA.
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect. A standard for local-bus implementation developed by Intel Corporation.
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. See also PC Card.
peripheral device
An internal or external device—such as a printer, a disk drive, or a keyboard—connected to a computer.
PGA
Pin grid array, a type of microprocessor socket that allows you to remove the microprocessor chip.
pixel
Arranged in rows and columns, a pixel is a single point on a video display. Video resolution—640 x 480, for example—is expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.
POST
Power-on self-test. Before the operating system loads when you turn on your computer, the POST tests various system components such as RAM, the disk drives, and the keyboard.
ppm
pages per minute
PQFP
Plastic quad flat pack, a type of microprocessor socket in which the microprocessor chip is permanently mounted.
PRN
A synonym for the MS-DOS device name LPT1.
program diskette set
The set of diskettes from which you can perform a complete installation of an application program. When you reconfigure a program, you often need its program diskette set.
protected mode
An operating mode supported by 80286 or higher microprocessors, protected mode allows operating systems to implement:
The Windows NT 32-bit operating system runs in protected mode. MS-DOS cannot run in protected mode; however, some programs that you can start from MS-DOS—such as Windows—are able to put the computer into protected mode.
PS/2
Personal System/2
PSPB
power-supply paralleling board
PVC
polyvinyl chloride
QIC
quarter-inch cartridge
RAM
Random-access memory. The computer's primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Each location in RAM is identified by a number called a memory address. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn off your computer.
Redundant arrays of independent disks. This phrase was introduced by David Patterson, Garth Gibson, and Randy Katz at the University of California at Berkeley in 1987. The goal of RAID is to use multiple small, inexpensive disk drives to provide high storage capacity and performance while maintaining or improving the reliability of the disk subsystem.
Patterson, Gibson, and Katz described five different methods, which are known as RAID levels 1 through 5. Each level uses one or more extra drives to provide a means of recovering data lost when a disk fails, so that the effective failure rate of the whole disk subsystem becomes very low.
Recently, Katz has defined a sixth method, RAID 6, which improves reliability even further, and a configuration that provides no data recovery has popularly become known as RAID 0.
RAID 0
RAID 0 is commonly called striping. This was not originally defined as a RAID level but has since come into popular use. In this array configuration, data is written sequentially across the available disks and no redundancy is provided. RAID 0 configurations provide very high performance but relatively low reliability. RAID 0 is the best choice when DSA controller cards are duplexed. See also striping.
RAID 1 is commonly called mirroring. RAID 1 also uses striping, so RAID 1 may be regarded as the mirroring of RAID 0 configurations. RAID 1 is the best choice in high-availability applications that require high performance or relatively low data capacity. See also mirroring, RAID 10, striping.
RAID 4 is commonly called guarding. It uses data striping, like RAID 0, but adds a single, dedicated parity drive. The parity data stored on this drive can be used to recover data lost from a single failed drive. RAID 4 configurations write data slowly because parity data has to be generated and written to the parity drive, and the generation of the parity data frequently requires reading data from multiple physical drives. See also guarding and striping.
RAID 5, like RAID 4, is commonly called guarding. RAID 5 is identical to RAID 4, except that the parity data is distributed evenly across all physical drives instead of a parity drive. In configurations using a large number of physical drives in which a large number of simultaneous small write operations are being performed, RAID 5 offers potentially higher performance than RAID 4. RAID 4 and RAID 5 configurations are appropriate in high-availability applications where performance is less critical or where high data capacity is required. See also guarding.
RAID 10 is a mirroring technique in which data is duplicated across two identical RAID 0 arrays or hard-disk drives. All data on a physical drive in one array is duplicated, or mirrored, on a drive in the second array. Mirroring offers complete redundancy of data for greater data security. See also mirroring, RAID 1, and striping.
RAMDAC
random-access memory digital-to-analog converter
read-only file
A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing or deleting. A file can have read-only status if:
real mode
An operating mode supported by 80286 or higher microprocessors, real mode imitates the architecture of an 8086 microprocessor. Designed to run in real mode, MS-DOS (unassisted by additional software techniques) can address only 640 KB of conventional memory.
refresh rate
The frequency, measured in Hz, at which the screen's horizontal lines are recharged. A monitor's refresh rate is also referred to as its vertical frequency.
REN
ringer equivalence number
RFI
radio frequency interference
RGB
red/green/blue
ROM
Read-only memory. Your computer contains some programs essential to its operation in ROM code. Unlike RAM, a ROM chip retains its contents even after you turn off your computer. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your computer's boot routine and the POST.
rpm
revolutions per minute
RTC
Real-time clock. Battery-powered clock circuitry inside the computer that keeps the date and time after you turn off the computer.
SCSI
Small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster data transmission rates than standard ports. You can connect up to seven devices to one SCSI interface.
SDMS
SCSI device management system
SDRAM
synchronous dynamic random-access memory
SEC
single-edge connector cartridge
sec
second(s)
serial port
An I/O port used most often to connect a modem or a mouse to your computer. You can usually identify a serial port on your computer by its 9-pin connector.
shadowing
A computer's system and video BIOS code is usually stored on ROM chips. Shadowing refers to the performance-enhancement technique that copies BIOS code to faster RAM chips in the upper memory area (above 640 KB) during the boot routine.
SMP
Symmetric multiprocess. Two or more processors connected via a high-bandwidth link and managed by an operating system, where each processor has equal access to I/O devices. This is in contrast to the server kind of parallel processor where a front-end processor handles all I/O to disks, terminals and local area network, and so on.
SRAM
Static random-access memory. Because SRAM chips do not require continual refreshing, they are substantially faster than DRAM chips. SRAM is used mostly for external cache memory.
In composite drivers with two or more physical drives, the drive array subsystem uses a method of data storage called striping. With this method, data is divided into a series of pieces called blocks and each data block is stored on a different physical drive. When each drive contains a block of data, the process starts over with the first physical drive. By carefully selecting the size of the data block, the chance that the information needed can be read from or written to multiple physical drives at once is increased, greatly increasing the performance of the composite drive. See also block, block size, and RAID.
SVGA
Super video graphics array. See also VGA.
switch
See parameter.
sync negotiation
Sync negotiation is a SCSI feature that allows the host adapter and its attached SCSI devices to transfer data in synchronous mode. Synchronous data transfer is faster than asynchronous data transfer.
syntax
The rules that dictate how you must type a command or instruction so that the computer will understand it.
system board
As the main circuit board, the system board usually contains most of your computer's integral components, such as the following:
Frequently used synonyms for system board are motherboard and logic board.
system diskette
A synonym for bootable diskette.
system memory
A synonym for RAM.
System Setup program
System Setup program options allow you to configure your computer's hardware. Some options in the System Setup program require that you reboot the computer in order to make a hardware-configuration change. Because the System Setup program is stored in NVRAM, any options that you set remain in effect until you change them again.
system.ini file
When you start Windows, it consults the system.ini file to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating environment. Among other things, the system.ini file records which video, mouse, and keyboard drivers are installed for Windows.
Making changes through the Control Panel or Windows Setup program may change options in the system.ini file. On other occasions, you may need to change or add options to the system.ini file manually with a text editor, such as Notepad.
terminator
Some devices, especially disk drives, contain a terminator to absorb and dissipate excess current. When more than one such device is connected in a series, you may need to remove the terminator—or change a jumper setting to disable it—unless it is the last device in the series. However, some devices have terminators that should never be removed or disabled.
text editor
An application program for editing text files consisting exclusively of ASCII characters. MS-DOS Editor and Notepad (in Windows) are text editors, for example. Most word processors use proprietary file formats containing binary characters, although some can read and write text files.
text mode
See video mode.
TFT
Thin film transistor. A flat-panel display for notebook computers where each pixel is controlled by one to four transistors.
tpi
tracks per inch
TSR
Terminate-and-stay-resident. A TSR program runs "in the background." Most TSR programs implement a predefined key combination (sometimes referred to as a hot key) that allows you to activate the TSR program's interface while running another MS-DOS program. When you finish using the TSR program, you can return to the other application program and leave the TSR program resident in memory for later use.
Because MS-DOS is not designed to support multiple programs running simultaneously, TSR programs can sometimes cause memory conflicts. When troubleshooting, rule out the possibility of such a conflict by rebooting your computer without starting any TSR programs.
TV
television
UL
Underwriters Laboratories
UMB
Upper memory blocks. See also conventional memory, HMA, memory manager, and upper memory area.
The 384 KB of RAM located between 640 KB and 1 MB. If the computer has an Intel386 or higher microprocessor, a software utility called a memory manager can create UMBs in the upper memory area, in which you can load device drivers and memory-resident programs. See also conventional memory, HMA, and memory manager.
UPS
Uninterruptible power supply. A battery-powered unit that automatically supplies power to your computer in the event of an electrical failure.
USOC
Universal Service Ordering Code
utility
A program used to manage system resources—memory, disk drives, or printers, for example. The diskcopy command for duplicating diskettes and the himem.sys device driver for managing extended memory are utilities included in MS-DOS.
V
volt(s)
VAC
volt(s) alternating current
VCCI
Voluntary Control Council for Interference
VDC
volt(s) direct current
VDE
Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker
VDS
Virtual Direct Memory Access Services
VESA®
Video Electronics Standards Association
Video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video standards for video adapters with greater resolution and color display capabilities than EGA and CGA, the previous standards.
To display a program at a specific resolution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and your monitor must support the resolution. Similarly, the number of colors that a program can display depends on the capabilities of the monitor, the video driver, and the amount of memory installed for the video adapter.
VGA feature connector
On some systems with an integrated VGA video adapter, a VGA feature connector allows you to add an enhancement adapter, such as a video accelerator, to your computer. A VGA feature connector can also be called a VGA pass-through connector.
The logical circuitry that provides—in combination with the monitor or display—your computer's video capabilities. A video adapter may support more or fewer features than a specific monitor offers. Typically, a video adapter comes with video drivers for displaying popular application programs and operating environments in a variety of video modes.
On most current Dell computers, a video adapter is integrated into the system board. Also available are many video adapter cards that plug into an expansion-card connector.
Video adapters can include memory separate from RAM on the system board. The amount of video memory, along with the adapter's video drivers, may affect the number of colors that can be simultaneously displayed. Video adapters can also include their own coprocessor chip for faster graphics rendering.
video driver
Graphics-mode application programs and operating environments, such as Windows, often require video drivers in order to display at a chosen resolution with the desired number of colors. A program may include some "generic" video drivers. Any additional video drivers may need to match the video adapter; you can find these drivers on a separate diskette with your computer or video adapter.
video memory
Most VGA and SVGA video adapters include VRAM or DRAM memory chips in addition to your computer's RAM. The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display (with the appropriate video drivers and monitor capability).
Video adapters normally support multiple text and graphics display modes. Character-based software (such as MS-DOS) displays in text modes that can be defined as x columns by y rows of characters. Graphics-based software (such as Windows) displays in graphics modes that can be defined as x horizontal by y vertical pixels by z colors.
video resolution
Video resolution—640 x 480, for example—is expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down. To display a program at a specific graphics resolution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and your monitor must support the resolution.
virtual 8086 mode
An operating mode supported by Intel386 or higher microprocessors, virtual 8086 mode allows operating environments—such as Windows—to run multiple programs in separate 1-MB sections of memory. Each 1-MB section is called a virtual machine.
virtual memory
A method for increasing addressable RAM by using the hard-disk drive. (MS-DOS does not support true virtual memory, which must be implemented at the operating system level.) For example, in a computer with 8 MB of RAM and 16 MB of virtual memory set up on the hard-disk drive, the operating system would manage the system as though it had 24 MB of physical RAM.
virus
A self-starting program designed to inconvenience you. Virus programs have been known to corrupt the files stored on a hard-disk drive or to replicate themselves until a system or network runs out of memory.
One way that virus programs move from one system to another is via "infected" diskettes, from which they copy themselves to the hard-disk drive. To guard against virus programs, you should do the following:
VL-Bus™
VESA local bus. A standard for local bus implementation developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association.
VLSI
very-large-scale integration
Vpp
peak-point voltage
VRAM
Video random-access memory. Some video adapters use VRAM chips (or a combination of VRAM and DRAM) to improve video performance. VRAM is dual-ported, allowing the video adapter to update the screen and receive new image data at the same time.
W
watt(s)
win.ini file
When you start Windows, it consults the win.ini file to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating environment. Among other things, the win.ini file records what printer(s) and fonts are installed for Windows. The win.ini file also usually includes sections that contain optional settings for Windows application programs that are installed on the hard-disk drive.
Making changes through the Control Panel or Windows Setup program may change options in the win.ini file. On other occasions, you may need to change or add options to the win.ini file manually with a text editor, such as Notepad.
write-protected
Read-only files are said to be write-protected. You can write-protect a 3.5-inch diskette by sliding its write-protect tab to the open position and a 5.25-inch diskette by placing an adhesive label over its write-protect notch.
Extended memory manager. A utility that allows application programs and operating environments to use extended memory in accordance with the XMS. See also conventional memory, EMM, expanded memory, extended memory, and memory manager.
EXtended Memory Specification. See also EMS, extended memory, and memory manager.
ZIF
Zero insertion force. Some computers use ZIF sockets and connectors to allow devices such as the microprocessor chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to the device.