Reset

To reload a computer’s operating system so you can retry a task or begin using a different operating system. Resetting erases any information stored in RAM.

ROM

Read Only Memory. The portion of the computer’s memory that contains permanent instructions and cannot be modified. Unlike RAM, ROM retains its contents even after you turn off the computer. See also RAM.

ROM BIOS

See BIOS.

Root directory

The top-level MS-DOS directory on a diskette or hard disk. The root directory is designated by a backslash (\). All other directories are subdirectories of the root directory, or of other subdirectories.

RS-232C

A standard serial interface. Your computer has a connector that lets you attach an RS-232C compatible device to your computer.

serial

A way of organizing communications between two pieces of computer equipment, in which the signals that make up each character are sent sequentially. See also Parallel.

SETUP

The program you run to define the configuration settings and power management options of your computer.

Shadow RAM

The function that copies the system video ROM into RAM to speed up processing.

12 Glossary