Option card

A circuit board you can install inside the computer to provide additional capabilities, such as a modem or an additional I/O port. Option cards plug directly into option slots so you don’t have to alter a computer’s circuitry to enhance your system.

Parallel

An interface that transmits data simultaneously over separate wires in a cable. See also Serial.

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect. The standard developed by Intel Corporation for expansion design. PCI allows

high-speed data transfer and was designed for the current generation of processors, but its circuitry design is not tied to the requirements of a specific processor or family.

PCMCIA card

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association card. A credit-card-sized device that can be used for data storage, memory expansion, or other purposes. PCMCIA cards are often used in notebook computers.

Port

A physical socket on a computer to which you can connect a peripheral device.

Power- on diagnostics

Tests stored in ROM that the computer runs to check its internal circuitry, peripheral device configuration, and operating status each time you turn it on or reset it.

6 G l o s s a r y