Specifications

Glossary
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CHS
(Cylinders/Heads/Sectors) A specification of disk drive operating parameters
consisting of the number of disk cylinders, disk drive read/write heads, and disk
sectors.
Default
The state of all user-changeable hardware and software settings as they are originally
configured before any changes are made.
DOS
(Disk Operating System) One or more programs which allow a computer to use a
disk drive as an external storage device. These programs manage storage and
retrieval of data to and from the disk and interpret commands from the computer
operator.
Driver
A software component of the operating system which directs the computer interface
with a hardware device. The software interface to the driver is standardized such that
application software calling the driver requires no specific operational information
about the hardware device.
DIP
(Dual In-Line Package) A semiconductor package configuration consisting of a
rectangular plastic case with two rows of pins, one row on each lengthwise side.
DRAM.
(Dynamic Random Access Memory) Semiconductor RAM memory devices in which
the stored data does not remain permanently stored, even with the power applied,
unless the data are periodically rewritten into memory during a refresh operation.
EEPROM
(Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) Specifically, those EPROMs which may
be erased electrically as compared to other erasing methods.
Error
Checking
and
Correction
A feature of the T2 chipset that enables it to detect single or multi-bit errors in
DRAM reads and correct single bit errors. This feature requires that all banks of
DRAM use x36 (parity) SO DIMMs.
ECP
(Extended Capabilities Port) An enhancement of the standard PC parallel port that
allows high speed bi-directional data transfers and other features.
EDO
(Extended Data Out) A type of DRAM that allows higher memory system
performance since the data pins are still driven when CAS# is de-asserted. This
allows the next DRAM address to be presented to the device sooner than with Fast
Page Mode DRAM.
Extended
Memory
The RAM address space, in a computer so equipped, above the 1 MB level.
ESCD
(Extended System Configuration Data) A block of nonvolatile memory that stores
information on the devices found and configured by the Plug and Play BIOS.
External
Device
A peripheral or other device connected to the computer from an external location via
an interface cable.
FPM
(Fast Page Mode) A “standard” type of DRAM that is lower performance
than EDO.
Fixed Disk
A hard disk drive or other data storage device having no removable storage medium.
Fixed disk storage devices use inflexible disk media and are sealed to prevent data
loss due to media surface contamination. Fixed disks generally provide the most
storage space for a given cost when compared to semiconductor, tape, and other
popular mass storage technologies.