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User’s Manual Glossary-5
Glossary
format: The process of readying a blank disk for its first use. Formatting
establishes the structure of the disk that the operating system
expects before it writes files or programs onto the disk.
function keys: The keys labeled F1 through F12 that tell the computer to
perform certain functions.
G
gigabyte (GB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 megabytes. See also
megabyte.
graphics: Drawings, pictures, or other images, such as charts or graphs,
to present information.
H
hard disk: A non-removable disk usually referred to as drive C. The factory
installs this disk and only a trained engineer can remove it for
servicing. Also called fixed disk.
hard disk drive (HDD): An electromechanical device that reads and writes
a hard disk. See also hard disk.
hertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals one cycle per second.
hot key: The computer’s feature in which certain keys in combination with
the extended function key, Fn, can be used to set system
parameters, such as speaker volume.
I
input: The data or instructions you provide to a computer, communication
device or other peripheral device from the keyboard or external or
internal storage devices. The data sent (or output) by the sending
computer is input for the receiving computer.
I/O: Input/output. Refers to acceptance and transfer of data to and from a
computer.
I/O devices: Equipment used to communicate with the computer and
transfer data to and from it.
J
jumper: A small clip or wire that allows you to change the hardware
characteristics by electrically connecting two points of a circuit.
K
K: Taken from the Greek word kilo, meaning 1000; often used as
equivalent to 1024, or 2 raised to the 10
th
power. See also byte and
kilobyte.
KB: See kilobyte.