The Hardware
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) stores data and application software for the processor. You can write to or read
from RAM freely, but once the power is turned off, the data in RAM is lost. RAM size is described by the amount of
information (bytes) it can store. Symbols often used for this are "K" and "M". One K byte 1 K byte) represents 1024
bytes and one M byte (1 M byte) represents 1024 K bytes. The TravelMate 2000 has a standard RAM size of 1 M
byte. This can be increased to 3 M byte by installing two optional 1 M byte RAM cards.
ROM
ROM (Read-Only Memory) contains factory-programmed information, which remains stored even with the power off.
You can never change the contents of ROM. The TravelMate 2000 has two ROM areas. One stores the IPL (Initial
Program Loader), BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), and setup and hardware installation functions. These programs
are sometimes referred to as firmware. The other ROM area stores the diagnostics program, LapLink program, and
the operating system, MS-DOS 4. 0 1. This area is called a ROM disk and is used to install MS-DOS on the hard disk.
Keyboard
You communicate with the computer by typing on the keyboard. Many of the keys work just like those on a regular
typewriter. However, as you will see, some of the keys have special functions not available on a typewriter. The
TravelMate 2000 keyboard is modeled after the IBM 10l/ 102 -key enhanced keyboard layout.
Taking a First Look 1-5