Dell WorkStation 210 manual EDFNXSing systemEDWWHU

read-write, it may be defined by a man- DXWRH[HFagement application￿EDWILOH.

The autoexec.bat file (Windows 95 and MS-DOS only) is executed when you boot your computer (after executing any commands in the config.sys file). This start-up file contains commands that de- fine the characteristics of each device connected to your computer, and it finds and executes programs stored in loca- EDFNXStions other than the active directory.

A copy of a program or data file. As a precaution, you should back up your com- puter’s hard-disk drive on a regular basis. Before making a change to the configura- tion of your computer, you should back up important start-up files from your operat-

EDFNXSing systemEDWWHU\.

The backup battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when the EDVHsystemPHPRU\is turned off.

Synonym for conventional memory. See EDWFKalso conventionalILOH memory.

An ASCII text file containing a list of com- mands that run in sequence. Instead of typing each command, you need only type the batch filename. The system executes the commands as if you had typed each one individually. Both files must have a EDXGUDWHfilename extension of bat.

A measurement of data transmission speed. For example, modems are de- signed to transmit data at one or more specified baud rate(s) through the COM %%6(serial) port of a computer.

Abbreviation for bulletin board service. A computer system that serves as a central location for accessing data or relaying messages by modem. For example, Dell’s TechConnect BBS contains the latest

version of software, such as video drivers. If your system has a modem, you can ac- cess the BBS and download the most EHHSrecentFRGHversion of this software.

A diagnostic message in the form of a pattern of beeps from your computer’s speaker. For example, one beep, followed by a second beep, and then a burst of ELQDU\three beeps is beep code 1-1-3.

A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to represent information. The com- puter performs operations based on the ordering and calculation of these %,26numbers.

Acronym for basic input/output system. Your computer’s BIOS contains programs stored on a flash memory chip. The BIOS controls the following:

‡Communications between the microprocessor and peripheral devices, such as the keyboard and the video adapter

‡Miscellaneous functions, such as ELWsystem messages

The smallest unit of information interpret- ERRWed byURXWLQHyour computer.

When you start your computer, it clears all memory, initializes devices, and loads the operating system. Unless the operat- ing system fails to respond, you can reboot (also called warm boot) your com- puter by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>; otherwise, you must perform a cold boot by pressing the reset button or by turning ERRWDEOHGLVNHWWHthe computer off and then back on.

A diskette that can boot your computer to the operating system in the event that the computer will not boot from the hard-disk drive.

2 Dell Precision 210 Desktop Systems User’s Guide