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196 Glossary
config.sys file
The
config.sys
file is executed when you boot your
computer (before running any commands in the
autoexec.bat
file). This start-up file contains commands
that specify which devices to install and which drivers
to use. This file also contains commands that determine
how the operating system uses memory and controls files.
controller
A chip that controls the transfer of data between the
microprocessor and memory or between the
microprocessor and a peripheral device such as a disk
drive or the keyboard.
control panel
The part of the computer that contains indicators and
controls, such as the power switch, hard drive access
indicator, and power indicator.
conventional memory
The first 640 KB of RAM. Conventional memory is
found in all computers. Unless they are specially
designed, MS-DOS
®
programs are limited to running
in conventional memory.
COO
Acronym for cost of ownership.
cooling unit
Sets of fans or other cooling devices in a system chassis.
coprocessor
A chip that 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 for example, includes a built-in
math coprocessor.
cpi
Abbreviation for characters per inch.
CPU
Abbreviation for central processing unit. See also
microprocessor
.
CRC
Abbreviation for cyclic redundancy code, which is a
number derived from, and stored or transmitted with,
a block of data in order to detect corruption.
By recalculating the CRC and comparing it to the value
originally transmitted, the receiver can detect some
types of transmission errors.
CSR
Abbreviation for certificate signing request. A complex
text file generated by a Web server to identify and
authenticate systems that seek connections to other
systems. The digital signature that is present in every
CSR contributes to secure identification of systems.
When a remote access controller is present on a system
running Server Administrator, the CSR that comes
with the remote access controller belongs to Dell. If
your company wants to generate its own CSR, you can
request a unique CSR from a certificate authority and
overwrite the Dell CSR.
cursor
A marker, such as a block, underscore, or pointer that
represents the position at which the next keyboard or
mouse action will occur.
DAT
Acronym for digital audio tape.
dB
Abbreviation for decibel(s).
dBA
Abbreviation for adjusted decibel(s).
DC
Abbreviation for direct current.
device driver
A program that allows the operating system or some
other program to interface correctly with a peripheral
device, such as a printer. 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.