8 Glossary
POST
Power-On-Self-Test.
R RAM
(Random-Access Memory) A temporary storage area for data and programs. This type of
memory must be periodically refreshed to maintain valid data, and is lost when the
computer is powered off. See also NVRAM and SRAM.
real-time clock
The IC in your computer that maintains the time and date.
ROM
(Read-Only Memory) A type of memory device that usually is used to store system BIOS
code. This code cannot be altered and is not lost when the computer is powered off. See
also BIOS, EPROM, and flash EPROM.
RS-232C port
An industry standard serial port. See also serial port.
S SAF-TE
(SCSI Accessed Fault Tolerant Enclosure) A specification for monitoring the state of the
drives and enclosure environment (fan, power supply, temperature, etc.) using the SCSI bus
to indicate faults.
save
To store information on a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or some other permanent
storage device.
SCSI
(Small Computer System Interface) An industry standard interface that provides high-speed
access to tape drives, hard disk drives, and other peripheral devices.
SEL
(System Event Log) A record of system management events. The information stored
includes the name of the event, the date and time the event occurred and data pertinent to
the event. Event data may include POST error codes that reflect hardware errors or software
conflicts within the system.
serial communication
Information sent sequentially, one bit at a time.
serial port
The connector on the back of your computer that allows the transfer of data between the
computer and a serial device, such as a mouse, a modem, or a serial printer.