NEC MH4500 manual Power-On-Self-Test

Pentium

A type of microprocessor, with a built-in math coprocessor, cache memory, and memory and bus controllers, that processes and communicates 32 bits of data at a time. This microprocessor also contains power management capabilities.

peripheral

A device connected to and controlled by the computer, such as an external disk drive or a printer.

pixel

The smallest element that is visible on a video display. The resolution of a video display system is measured in pixels.

PnP

(Plug-n-Play) Plug-and-play is the ability to plug a device into a computer and have the computer recognize that the device is there. The user doesn't have to tell the computer.

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

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.

8 Glossary