CMOS RAM

A special type of low-power memory that records information about your system configuration. Unlike ordinary RAM, CMOS RAM is backed up by a battery and is not erased when you turn off the computer.

Command prompt

The characters the operating system displays to indicate it is loaded and ready to receive instructions. The MS-DOS command prompt usually displays the current drive and directory with a greater-than symbol (A : \ > or C : \ >, for example).

CONFIG.SYS file

A special system file that MS-DOS executes each time you turn on or reset the computer. You use this file to customize your system by installing device drivers, setting limits for files and buffers, and specifying MS-DOS commands to be run during startup.

Configuration

The particular arrangement of the hardware components installed in or attached to your computer. For example, your configuration might include a hard disk, a printer, and a PC modem card.

Control code

A command (generated by holding down and pressing another key on the keyboard) that instructs the computer to perform a specific function.

Controller

A hardware component of your computer that manages the operation of the display, hard disk, or diskette drive.

Coprocessor

An optional integrated circuit (chip) that assists the CPU in performing certain numeric calculations faster. See also 387SX/SL.

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