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Parity
Data signals sent during communications to detect errors in
transmitting or receiving data.
Partition
To divide a hard disk drive into separate sections for use
by different operating systems.
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.
Power-on diagnostics
See Diagnostics.
Program
A disk file that contains coded instructions and tells a
computer what to do and how to do it.
Prompt
A message displayed on the computer screen that tells you
what action you need to perform next.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The portion of the computer’s
memory used to run programs and store data while you
work. All data stored in RAM is erased when you turn off
the computer; so you must store any data you want to save
on a diskette or hard disk.
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.
Read/write head
The physical device inside a disk drive that reads and
records data on the magnetic surface of a disk.
Glossary
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