NEC PowerMate CT manual Codec, Cold boot, Compression, Default, Driver

CMOS

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A chip on the system board that contains nonvolatile memory. CMOS is backed up by an internal lithium battery that preserves clock/calendar data and system configuration parameters stored in CMOS.

codec

Coder-decoder. Used primarily with Internet phone and video conferencing products, this software compresses digitized data and decompresses it at the other end, allowing for faster data transfer and less delays

cold boot

Process of starting up the computer by turning on the power. If power is already on, the process means to turn off the computer and turn it on again. A cold boot reinitializes all devices.

compression

Any scheme for recording data with fewer bits. For example, stating how many times something occurs can be shorter than stating each occurrence. It is shorter to say “print a million white pixels” than to say “print white pixel number one, print white pixel number two . . .”

D

default

The system’s factory setting for a specific device feature or system function. A setting that a computer uses if it has not been modified by a user.

DIMM

Dual Inline Memory Module. Circuit board with pins connecting to different memory chips on both sides of the board, which allows for wider and faster data transfer (128-bit). See SIMMs.

DMA

Direct Memory Access. A method for transferring data, usually between memory and a disk drive, without going through the CPU.

DMI

Desktop Management Interface. A standard for PCs that allows manipulation of PC components over a network from a centralized location.

DRAM

Dynamic Random Access Memory. Memory used to store data in most computers. DRAM is temporary and must be continually refreshed. It is only active when the computer is turned on.

driver

A software program that enables peripheral devices (for example, printer, monitor, mouse, CD-ROM drive) to work with computers.

6 Glossary