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M
main board: See motherboard.
MDA: Monochrome Display Adapter. A video display protocol defined by the IBM
Monochrome Display Adapter and its associated circuitry for direct drive TTL
displays that supports a monochrome 720x350 text mode.
megabyte (MB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 kilobytes. See also
kilobyte.
menu: A software interface that displays a list of options on the screen. Also
called a screen.
microprocessor: A hardware component contained in a single integrated circuit
that carries out instructions. Also called the central processing unit (CPU),
one of the main parts of the computer.
mode: A method of operation, for example, the boot mode or the resume mode.
modem: Derived from modulator/demodulator, a device that converts (modulates)
digital data for transmission over telephone lines and then converts modulated
data (demodulates) to digital format where received.
monitor: A device that uses rows and columns of pixels to display alphanumeric
characters or graphic images. See CRT.
motherboard: A name sometimes used to refer to the main printed circuit board
in processing equipment. It usually contains integrated circuits that perform
the processorÕs basic functions and provides connectors for adding other boards
that perform special functions. Sometimes called a main board.
N
non-system disk: A formatted diskette (floppy disk) you can use to store
programs and data but you cannot use to start the computer. See system disk.
non-volatile memory: Memory, usually read-only (ROM), that is capable of
permanently storing information. Turning the computerÕs power off does not
alter data stored in non-volatile memory.
numeric keypad overlay: A feature that allows you to use certain keys on the
keyboard to perform numeric entry, or to control cursor and page movement.
O
OCR: Optical Character Recognition (reader). A technique or device that uses
laser or visible light to identify characters and input them into a storage
device.
OCR wand: A device that reads, using an optical device, hand written or machine