S
SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory — A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor.
serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer.
service tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer or technical support.
setup program — A program that is used to install and configure hardware and software. The setup.exe or install.exe program comes with most Windows software packages. Setup program differs from system setup program.
shutdown — The process of closing windows and programs, exiting the operating system, and turning off your computer. You can lose data if you turn off your computer before completing a shutdown.
standby mode — A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to save energy.
surge protectors — A device that prevents voltage spikes, which occur during electrical storms or following power interruptions, from entering a computer through the electrical outlet. Many surge protectors have a telephone jack for modem protection. Some surge protectors provide warranty coverage for certain types of damage.
Most surge protectors do not protect against lightning strikes, so you should disconnect your computer when lightning is near. Surge protectors also do not offer protection against power interruptions (power fluctuations), which occur when the voltage drops more than 20 percent.
Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors. Always disconnect the network cable from the network connector during electrical storms.
SVGA — super video graphics array — A video standard for video cards and controllers. Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768.
The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the capabilities of the monitor, the video controller and its drivers, and the amount of video memory installed in the computer.
system board — The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the motherboard.
system setup program — A program (or utility) that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. Unless you understand what effect the settings have on the computer, do not change the settings for this program.
U
UPS — uninterruptible power supply — A backup power source used when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. A UPS keeps a computer running when there is no electrical power. UPS systems typically provide surge suppression and may also provide voltage regulation. Small UPS systems provide battery power for a few minutes to enable you to shut down your computer.
USB — Universal Serial Bus — A hardware interface for a low-speed device such as a USB-compatible keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, set of speakers, or printer. Devices are plugged directly into a 4-pin socket on your computer or into a multi-port hub that plugs into your computer. USB devices can be connected and disconnected while the computer is turned on and they can also be daisy-chained together.
V
V — voltage
video controller — The circuitry on a video card or on the system board (in computers with an integrated video controller) that provides the video capabilities—in combination with the monitor—for your computer.
video memory — Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions. Video memory is usually faster than system memory. The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display.
video mode — A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a monitor. Graphics-based software, such as the Windows operating system, displays in video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors. Character-based software, such as text editors, displays in video modes that can be defined as x columns by y rows of characters.
video resolution — See resolution.
virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on your computer. A virus program moves from one computer to another via an infected disk, software downloaded from the Internet, or e-mail attachments. When an infected program starts, its embedded virus also starts.
A virus cannot be attached to data. It must be attached to a program that is downloaded into or installed on the computer. When the virus-attached program is run, the virus is activated. Macro viruses, although hidden within documents (data), are similar. It is in the execution of the macro that the damage is done.
A common type of virus is a boot virus, which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy disk. If the floppy disk is left in the drive when the computer is shut down and then turned on, the computer is infected when it reads the boot sectors of the floppy disk expecting to find the operating system. If the computer is infected, the boot virus may replicate itself onto all of the floppy disks that are read or written in that computer until the virus is eradicated.
V — volt — The measurement of electric potential or electromotive force. One V appears across a resistance of 1 ohm when a current of 1 ampere flows through that resistance.
