Operating System
A group of control programs that convert application commands, including driver programs, into the exact form required by a specific brand and model of micro- processor in order to produce the desired results from that particular equipment.
Partition
A block of space on a hard drive which is set aside and made to appear to the operating system as if it were a separate disk, and addressed by the operating system accordingly.
PCMCIA
PCMCIA is a trademark of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association is an organization that sets standards for
Peripheral Device
A piece of equipment which performs a specific function associated with but not integral to a computer. Examples: a printer, a modem, a
Pitch (keyboard)
The distance between the centers of the letter keys of a keyboard.
Pixel
The smallest element of a display, a dot of color on your display screen. The more pixels per area the clearer your image will appear.
POP3
Post Office Protocol. Protocol that is used to retrieve email from a mail server.
POST
Power On Self Test. A program which is part of the BIOS which checks the configuration and operating condition of your hardware whenever power is applied to your LifeBook notebook. Status and error messages may be displayed before the operating system is loaded. If the self test detects failures that are so serious that operation can not continue, the operating system will not be loaded.
PPPoE
Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet. A protocol for Ethernet, using a
Program
An integrated set of coded commands to your computers telling your hardware what to do and how and when to do it.
G l o s s a r y
PS/2
An IBM series of personal computers which established a number of standards for connecting external devices such as keyboards and monitors.
RAM
Random Access Memory. A hardware component of your LifeBook notebook that holds binary information (both program and data) as long as it has the proper power applied to it.
RAM Module
A printed circuit card with memory and associated circuitry which allows the user to add additional memory to the computer without special tools.
Reset
The act of reloading the operating system. A reset erases all information stored in RAM.
Restart
See Reset.
Resume
To proceed after interruption. In your LifeBook note- book, this refers to returning to active operation after having been in one of the suspension states.
ROM
Read Only Memory. A form of memory in which infor- mation is stored by physically altering the material. Data stored in this way can not be changed by your LifeBook notebook and does not require power to maintain it.
SDRAM
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.
Shadow RAM
A technique of copying data or applications stored in ROM (Read Only Memory) into RAM (Random Access Memory) for access during actual operation. RAM is much faster to access than ROM, however ROM contents are not lost when power is removed. Shadowing allows permanently stored information
to be rapidly accessed.
SPDIF
Sony Philips Digital Interface. Technology that allows you to download digital audio data onto a MiniDisc recorder.
SSID
Service Set Identifier. Specifies which network you are joining. Some systems allow you to specify any SSID as an option so you can join any network.
Status Indicator
A display which reports the condition of some portion of your hardware. On your LifeBook notebook this is an LCD screen just above the keyboard.
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