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Appendix A 29
Terms and Definitions
This list of terms should help you get acquainted with terms used in your
computer’s documentation and in your system software.
Applications - Software installed on your system. Sometimes called
programs
.
BIOS - Basic input/output system. The BIOS is software that is
independent of any operating system. It enables the computer to
communicate with the monitor, keyboard, and other peripheral devices
without using programs on the hard disk.
The BIOS on your computer is flash BIOS, which means that is has been
recorded on a memory chip that can be updated if needed.
Boot - To start your computer. A cold boot resets the computer and runs
through all computer self-tests. It is initiated by turning the computer off
and then on again. A warm boot clears out computer memory only and is
initiated by pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL
.
Boot disk - A disk containing operating system programs required to start
your computer. A boot disk can be a diskette, hard drive, or CD.
Cache memory - Cache is very fast memory that can be located in the
processor. Cache reduces the average time required for the processor to get
the data it needs from the main memory by storing recently accessed data in
the cache.
CMOS memory - Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory.
CMOS memory is memory that is retained even when the computer is
turned off. The Setup program settings and other parameters are maintained
in CMOS memory.
Disc - A compact disc (CD).
Disk - The device used by the computer to store and retrieve information.
Disk can refer to a diskette or a hard disk.
Diskette - A removable disk, also called a floppy.