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Glossary
password A security feature that prevents an unauthorized user from
operating your computer. See also EEPROM.
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect. PCI is a high-performance
peripherals I/O bus supporting data transfers of up to 132MB per
second.
Pentium A type of microprocessor, with a built-in math coprocessor, cache
memory, and memory and bus controllers, that processes and
communicates 32 bits of data at a time. This microprocessor also
contains power management capabilities.
peripheral A device connected to and controlled by the computer, such as an
external disk drive or a printer.
pixel The smallest element that is visible on a video display. The
resolution of a video display system is measured in pixels.
POST Power-On-Self-Test.
R
RAM (Random-Access Memory) A temporary storage area for data and
programs. This type of memory must be periodically refreshed to
maintain valid data, and is lost when the computer is powered
off. See also NVRAM and SRAM.
real-time clock The IC in your computer that maintains the time and date.
ROM (Read-Only Memory) A type of memory device that usually is
used to store system BIOS code. This code cannot be altered and
is not lost when the computer is powered off. See also BIOS,
EPROM, and flash EPROM.
RS-232C port An industry standard serial port. See also serial port.
S
save To store information on a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or some other permanent storage device.
SCU (System Configuration Utility) The program that you use to
change the configuration of your system. This program also
contains information about the hardware in your system.
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) An industry standard
interface that provides high-speed access to tape drives, hard
disk drives, and other peripheral devices.
serial
communication
Information sent sequentially, one bit at a time.