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Appendix: Glossary
Bus Master IDE
PIO (Programmable I/O) IDE requires that the CPU be involved in IDE access and
waiting for mechanical events. Bus master IDE transfers data to/from the memory
without interrupting the CPU. Bus master IDE driver and bus master IDE hard disk
drives are required to support bus master IDE mode.
Byte (Binary Term)
One byte is a group of eight contiguous bits. A byte is used to represent a single
alphanumeric character, punctuation mark, or other symbol.
Cache Memory. A type of RAM that allows a faster from the CPU than a regular RAM.
The cache memory eliminates the CPU wait state. When the CPU reads data from the
main memory, a copy of this data is stored in the cache memory. The next time the
same address, the data is transferred from the cache memory instead of from the main
memory.
CODEC (Compressor/Decompressor). A software component that translates video or
audio between its uncompressed form and the compressed form in which it is stored.
COM Port
COM is a logical device name used by to designate the computer serial ports. Pointing
devices, modems, and infrared modules can be connected to COM ports. Each COM
port is configured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.
Concurrent PCI
Concurrent PCI maximizes system performance with simultaneous CPU, PCI and ISA
bus activities. It includes multi-transaction timing, enhanced write performance, a
passive release mechanism and support for PCI 2.1 compliant delayed transactions.
Concurrent PCI provides increased bandwidth, reduced system latencies, improves
video and audio performance, and improves processing of host based applications.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU, sometimes called “Processor,” actually functions as the “brain” of the
computer. It interprets and executes program commands and processes data stored in
memory. Currently, there are socket 370 (for Pentium III FC-PGA and Celeron-PPGA),
socket 7 (for Pentium, AMD, Cyrix, IBM), slot 1 (for Pentium II and III), slot 2 (for Xeon),
and slot A (for AMD) processors.
Device Driver
A device driver is a special set of instructions that allows the computer’s operating
system to communicate with devices such as VGA, audio, printer, or modem.
DOS (Disk Operating System)
DOS is the foundation on which all other programs and software applications operate,
including Windows. DOS is responsible for allocating system resources such as
memory, CPU time, disk space, and access to peripheral devices. For this reason, DOS
constitutes the basic interface between you and your computer.
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
A type of RAM that requires refresh cycles to prevent the loss of the data stored in it.
There are several different types of DRAM such as, EDO DRAM (Extended Data Output
DRAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) and DDR
DRAM, (Double-Data Rate DRAM).
Flash ROM
non-volatile memory device that retains its data even when power is removed. This
device is similar to EPROM, but unlike EPROM which can be erased only using an
ultra-violet light, flash ROM can be electrically erased. Flash ROM is normally used for
system BIOS, which initiates hardware devices and sets up necessary parameters for
the OS. Since the flash ROM contents can be modified, users can easily update the
BIOS..
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, eliminating the
need for a separate adapter card (in the case for SCSI devices). UltraDMA/33 IDE
devices can achieve up to 33MB/Sec transfer.