Auto speed

The Equity 386SX feature that enables it to automatically switch from 16 MHz to simulated 8 MHz speed when accessing the diskette drive (for copy-protected programs).

Backup

An extra copy of a program, data file, or disk, kept in case your working copy is damaged or lost.

Base memory

The amount of memory in the computer below 1MB that is available to MS-DOS and application programs-usually 640KB. Also called conventional memory or main memory.

Batch file

A type of file that lets you execute a series of MS-DOS commands by typing one command. Batch files are text files with the filename extension .BAT. In a batch file, each command is entered on a separate line. When you type the filename, MS-DOS executes all the commands in that file sequentially.

Baud rate

A measure of the speed of data transmission. Usually equivalent to bits per second.

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System. Routines in ROM (Read Only Memory) that handle basic input/output functions of the operating system.

2Glossary