is used for maintaining computer configuration information such as date, time, and other system setup options that you can set.
O
P
Parallel connector — An I/O port often used to connect a parallel printer to your computer. Also referred to as an LPT port.
Partition — A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives.
PCI — peripheral component interconnect — PCI is a local bus that supports 32- and
PIO — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two devices through the microprocessor as part of the data path.
Pixel — A single point on a display screen arranged in rows and columns to create an image. A video resolution, such as 800 x 600, is expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.
POST —
Program — Any software that processes data for you, including spreadsheet, word processor, database, and game packages. Programs require an operating system to run.
PS/2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a
PXE —
R
RAID — redundant array of independent disks — A system of two or more drives working together for performance and fault tolerance. RAID drives are typically used on servers and
RAM —
Readme file — A text file included with a software package or hardware product. Typically, readme files provide installation information and describe new product enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented.
•It resides on a physically
•It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to specific individuals.
Refresh rate — The frequency, measured in Hz, at which your screen's horizontal lines are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency). The higher the refresh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye.
Resolution — The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed on a monitor. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.
RFI — radio frequency interference — Interference that is generated at typical radio frequencies, in the range of 10 kHz to 100,000 MHz. Radio frequencies are at the lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have interference than the higher frequency radiations such as infrared and light.
ROM —
RPM — revolutions per minute — The number of rotations that occur per minute.
RTC — real time clock —
RTCRST — real time clock reset — A jumper on the system board that can often be used for troubleshooting problems.
S
ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard drive's surface for errors. ScanDisk often runs after a lockup occurs.
SDRAM — synchronous dynamic
Serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer.