cm/sec — centimeters per second
Control Panel — Part of the computer console that contains indicators and controls, such as the power switch, hard-drive access indicator, and power
indicator.
controller — Chips that control the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices.
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 can theoretically improve memory clock speed to at least 200 MHz.
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 Industrinorm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse
cable connectors.
DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the processor.
DRAM — dynamic random-access memory — Memory that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors.
driver — Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a printer. Many devices will not work properly if the correct driver is not
installed in the computer.
dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as extended display mode.
DVD — digital versatile disc — A disc usually used to store movies. DVDs are double-sided, whereas CDs are single-sided. DVD drives read most CD media as
well.
DVD drive — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from DVDs and CDs.
DVD player — The software used to watch DVD movies. The DVD player displays a window with buttons you use to watch a movie.
DVD-RW drive — A drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD-RW (rewritable DVDs) discs.
DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display.
DVI Adapter — The DVI adapter, working with the integrated graphics controller on your system, provides a DVI port for your computer. The DVI port provides
a direct, digital connection to a digital display, such as a digital flat panel display. Operating system control of the DVI adapter is handled through the
integrated graphics driver's user interface, which is located under the Control Panel in Windows operating systems.
E
ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory.
ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel port design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission. Similar to EPP, it uses direct memory access
to transfer data and often improves performance.
EIDE — Enhanced integrated device electronics — an improved version of the IDE interface for hard drives and CD drives.
EMI — electromagnetic interference — Electrical interference caused by electromagnetic radiation.
ESD — electrostatic discharge — A rapid discharge of static electricity. ESD can damage integrated circuits found in computer and communications equipment.
expansion card — A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the computer's system board, expanding the capabilities of the computer. Examples
include video, modem, and sound cards.
extended display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also referred to as dual display mode.
F
F — Fahrenheit — Atemperaturemeasurementsystemwhere32°isthefreezingpointand212°istheboilingpointofwater.
FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing communications-related regulations rating how much radiation
computers and other electronic equipment can emit.
floppy drive — A disk drive that can read and write to floppy disks.
folder — A place to organize and group files on a disk or drive. Files in a folder can be viewed and ordered in various ways, such as alphabetically, by date,
and by size.
format — The process that prepares a drive or disk for file storage. When a drive or disk is formatted, the existing information on it is lost.
ft — foot — A unit of measurement for length that equals 12 inches.