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Glossary
5.375 x 8.375 ver 3.1
format — (verb) To prepare a blank disk for use with the
computer’s operating system. Formatting creates a structure on
the disk so the operating system can write information to the disk
or read information from it.
frontside bus — The primary pathway (bus) between the CPU and
the computer’s main memory. Also called “system bus.” See also
bus.
function keys — The keys labeled F1 through F12, typically
located on the keyboard. Their function is determined by the
operating system and/or individual programs.
G
gigabyte (GB) — A unit of data equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes
(1024 x 1024 x 1024 bytes). See also byte.
ground — A conductor to which all components of an electric
circuit are connected. It has a potential of zero (0) volts, is
connected to the earth, and is the point of reference for voltages
in the circuit.
H
hard disk — A storage device composed of a rigid platter or
platters that can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold
much more information than diskettes and are used for long-term
storage of programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in
a computer is usually fixed, but some computers have secondary
hard disks that are removable. By default, the hard disk is
referred to as drive C.
hardware — The physical components of a computer system.
Compare software.
Hibernate — A feature of many Toshiba notebook computers that
saves to the hard disk the current state of your work, including all
open files and programs, when you turn the computer off. When
you turn on the computer again, your work is returned to the
same state it was when the computer was turned off. See also
Standby, Suspend.
high-density diskette — A 3.5-inch diskette that holds 1.44 MB of
data. See also diskette.