Dell 3100C owner manual As the Product Key or Product ID, Glossary

CACHE

w w w . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m

BUS SPEED — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information.

BYTE — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits.

C

C— Celsius — A temperature measurement system where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.

— A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device. The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations.

L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor.

L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor architecture.

CARNET — An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Also known as a merchandise passport.

CD — compact disc — An optical form of storage media, typically used for audio and software programs.

CD DRIVE — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from CDs.

CD PLAYER — The software used to play music CDs. The CD player displays a window with buttons that you use to play a CD.

CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.

CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten).

CD-RWDRIVE — A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.

CD-RW/DVDDRIVE — A drive, sometimes referred to as a combo drive, that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.

CLOCK SPEED — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast computer components that are connected to the system bus operate.

COA — Certificate of Authenticity — The Windows alpha-numeric code located on a sticker on your computer. You may need the COA to complete the operating system setup or reinstallation. Also referred to

as the Product Key or Product ID.

CONTROL PANEL — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings, such as display settings.

CONTROLLER — A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices.

CRIMM — continuity rambus in-line memory module

—A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots.

CURSOR — The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard, touch pad, or mouse action will occur. It often is a blinking solid line, an underline character, or a small arrow.

D

DDR SDRAM — double-data-rate SDRAM — A type of SDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle, improving system performance.

DEVICE — Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, or keyboard that is installed in or connected to your computer.

DEVICE DRIVER — See driver.

DIN CONNECTOR — A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors.

122

Glossary