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212 Glossary
video memory
Most VGA and SVGA video adapters include memory
chips in addition to your computer's RAM. The amount
of video memory installed primarily influences the
number of colors that a program can display (with the
appropriate video drivers and monitor capabilities).
video mode
Video adapters normally support multiple text and
graphics display modes. Character-based software
displays in text modes that can be defined as
x
columns
by
y
rows of characters. Graphics-based software
displays in graphics modes that can be defined as
x
horizontal by
y
vertical pixels by
z
colors.
video resolution
Video resolution—800 x 600, for example—is
expressed as the number of pixels across by the number
of pixels up and down. To display a program at a specific
graphics resolution, you must install the appropriate
video drivers and your monitor must support the
resolution.
virtual memory
A method for increasing addressable RAM by using the
hard drive. For example, in a computer with 16 MB of
RAM and 16 MB of virtual memory set up on the hard
drive, the operating system would manage the system
as though it had 32 MB of physical RAM.
virus
A self-starting program designed to inconvenience you.
Virus programs have been known to corrupt the files
stored on a hard drive or to replicate themselves until
a computer or network runs out of memory.
The most common way that virus programs move from
one computer to another is via “infected” diskettes,
from which they copy themselves to the hard drive.
To guard against virus programs, you should do the
following:
• Periodically run a virus-checking utility on your
computer's hard drive
• Always run a virus-checking utility on any diskettes
(including commercially sold software) before
using them
VLSI
Abbreviation for very-large-scale integration.
VLVESA
Acronym for very low voltage enterprise system
architecture.
vpp
Abbreviation for peak-point voltage.
VRAM
Acronym for video random-access memory. Some
video adapters use VRAM chips (or a combination of
VRAM and DRAM) to improve video performance.
VRAM is dual-ported, allowing the video adapter to
update the screen and receive new image data at the
same time.
VRM
Abbreviation for voltage regulator module.
W
Abbreviation for watt(s).
Wakeup on LAN
The ability for the power in a client station to be turned
on by the network. Remote wake-up enables software
upgrading and other management tasks to be
performed on users' machines after the work day is over.
It also enables remote users to gain access to machines
that have been turned off. Intel calls remote wake-up
"Wake-on-LAN."
WH
Abbreviation for watt-hour(s).
Winbind
A program that allows users in a heterogeneous network
to log in using workstations that have UNIX operating
systems. The program makes workstations using UNIX
functional in Windows domains, by making Windows
appear like UNIX to each UNIX workstation.