User`s guide

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Glossary
equals 1024 bytes.
LED - Light Emitting Diode. A diode that
illuminates when electricity passes through it, like the
indicator lights on the front panel of the computer.
Local Bus - A set of addresses, data, and control
signals that interface directly with the host CPU.
Mainboard - also Motherboard. A printed circuit
board into which other circuit boards can be plugged.
Usually, it contains the CPU, connectors for memory
(SIMMs), secondary cache, adapter sockets and
expansion slots for add-on devices.
Memory - Computer chips that make data quickly
available to the CPU. They can store data
permanently (ROM) or temporarily (RAM).
MHz - 1 Megahertz = one million (Mega) cycles per
second (Hertz).
Operating System - A body of programs, such as
MS-DOS, that coordinate the activities of a computer.
It determines how programs run and supervises all
input and output.
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect. PCI is an
industry standard for local bus peripheral expansion.
Parallel Port - also Printer Port. A 25-pin Input/
Output connector usually used for printers.
Peripheral - A device (such as, a printer or a
modem) connected to a computer that depends on the
computer for its operation.
Port - A physical input/output socket on a computer
where you can connect a peripheral.
POST - Power-On Self Test. An initial diagnostic test
a computer performs to check its hardware.
RAM - also DRAM. Random Access Memory. Small
chips or modules that provide the CPU rapid access
to data. Software programs and files reside in RAM
while being used. RAM is called volatile memory
because it “evaporates” when you turn off the power.
Read - To copy data from one area to another. For
example, when you open a text file stored on disk,
the computer reads the data from the disk and
displays it on the screen.
Reset - To reload a computer’s operating system so
you can retry a task or begin using a different
operating system. Resetting clears RAM.
ROM - Read Only Memory. A portion of memory that
can only be read and cannot be used for temporary
storage. ROM retains its contents even when you turn
off the power.
SETUP - This refers (usually) to the program that is
used to load the CMOS data base with input from the
user. SETUP sets the date, time, and configuration of
disk drives installed on the system.
Software - The programs that enable your computer to
perform the tasks and functions you indicate.
Application programs are software.
SRAM - Static RAM. Memory chips that do not
require refresh circuitry, as do conventional RAM
chips. SRAMs operate in the 10-30 nanosecond range,
which is faster than RAM chips. SRAM is often used
as a buffer between fast CPUs and RAM.
Subdirectory - A directory within another directory.
System Disk - A disk that contains the operating
system. A Boot Disk.
Write - To store data on a disk.
Write-Protect - To prevent a floppy disk from being
overwritten by placing a write-protect tab over the
notch on the side of the floppy disk (5.25") or setting
the write-protect switch (3.5"). When a floppy disk is
write-protected, you cannot erase, change, or record
over its contents.
ZEOS - Greek god of computers.