Micron Technology Transport LT warranty Appendix D Glossary

Appendix D - Glossary

Appendix D - Glossary

AC Adapter

The AC (or alternating current) adapter regulates current coming into your computer from the wall outlet. The current at the wall outlet is alternating current and needs to be changed by the adapter to DC (direct current) before your computer can use it for power.

ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)

A method for describing hardware interfaces in terms abstract enough to allow flexible and innovative hardware implementations and concrete enough to allow shrink-wrap OS code to use such hardware interfaces.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

The BIOS is software (often called firmware) that is independent of any operating system. It enables the computer to communicate with the screen, keyboard, and other peripheral devices without using programs on the hard disk.

The BIOS on your computer is flash BIOS, which means that it has been recorded on a flash memory chip that can be updated if needed.

Boot

To start your computer. A cold boot resets the entire computer and runs through all computer self-tests. A warm boot clears out computer memory only.

Boot disk

A disk containing operating system programs required to start your computer. A boot disk can be a floppy disk, hard drive, or compact disc.

Byte

The basic unit of measure for computer memory. A character—such as a letter of the alphabet—uses one byte of memory. Computer memory is often measured in kilobytes (1,024 bytes) or megabytes (1,048,576 bytes).

Each byte is made up of eight bits. For more information on bytes and bits, see an introductory book on computers.

Cache memory

Cache is very fast, zero-wait-state memory located between the microprocessor and main memory. Cache reduces the average time required by the microprocessor to get the data it needs from the main memory by storing recently accessed data in the cache.

CardBus

CardBus technology enables the computer to use 32-bit PC Cards. Hardware in the computer and the Windows 98 operating system provide support for the 32-bit cards. The voltage of 32-bit cards (3.3 volts) is lower than that of 16-bit cards (5 volts). The 32-bit cards can transmit more data at a time than the 16-bit cards, thus increasing their speed.

CMOS memory (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)

Memory that is powered by the CMOS battery. The System Setup settings and other parameters are maintained in CMOS memory. Even when you turn your computer off, the information in CMOS memory is saved.

COM port

COM stands for communication. COM ports are the serial ports in your computer.

Compact Disc

A compact disc (CD).

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