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Glossary 13
conventional memory devices to ensure
that timing signals have been set up
correctly.
In equivalent configurations, a computer
with SDRAM will have faster memory per-
formance than a computer with EDO
memory.
Abbreviation for second(s).
An I/O port used most often to connect a
modem to your computer. You can usually
identify a serial port on your computer by
its 9-pin connector.
A bar code label on the computer that
identifies it when you call Dell for custom-
er or technical support.
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.
Abbreviation for Single Instruction Multi-
ple Data.
Acronym for single in-line memory mod-
ule. A small circuit board containing
DRAM chips that connects to the system
board.
Abbreviation for Slot 2 single-edge con-
tact. Newer Intel processors, such as the
Intel Pentium II Xeon
™
processor, use this
type of connector as an interface between
the processor and the system board.
Acronym for Self-Monitoring Analysis and
Reporting Technology. A technology that
allows hard-disk drives to report errors
and failures to the system BIOS, which
then displays an error message on the
screen. To take advantage of this technol-
ogy, you must have a SMART-compliant
hard-disk drive and the proper support in
the system BIOS.
Abbreviation for Simple Network
Management Protocol. SNMP is an
industry-standard interface that allows a
network manager to remotely monitor
and manage workstations.
Abbreviation for static random-access
memory. Because SRAM chips do not re-
quire continual refreshing, they are
substantially faster than DRAM chips.
Abbreviation for super video graphics ar-
ray. VGA and SVGA are video standards
for video adapters with greater resolution
and color display capabilities than previ-
ous standards.
To display a program at a specific resolu-
tion, you must install the appropriate
video drivers and your monitor must sup-
port the resolution. Similarly, the number
of colors that a program can display de-
pends on the capabilities of the monitor,
the video driver, and the amount of video
memory installed in the computer.
On a computer system board, switches
control various circuits or functions in your
computer system. These switches are
known as
DIP switches;
they are normally
packaged in groups of two or more
switches in a plastic case. Two common
DIP switches are used on system boards:
slide
switches and
rocker
switches. The
names of the switches are based on how
the settings (on and off) of the switches
are changed.
The rules that dictate how you must type
a command or instruction so that the com-
puter understands it.