Glossary

Sony VAIO Desktop User Guide

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Glossary

This section refers to terms used in this manual and elsewhere in the VAIO world. These terms and definitions have been compiled to provide you with a better understanding of your VAIO computer.

Term

Definition

 

 

<F1> key

The <F1> key gives you access to the online help of most software.

 

 

10BASE-T/100BASE-TX

Ethernet system providing data transfer rates of 10 Mbps (megabits per second) and 100

 

Mbps. The 100BASE-TX is a very direct derivative of 10BASE-T. Its 100 Mbps speed is achieved

 

by simply sending the signal 10 times faster.

 

 

ACPI

Short for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, a power management specification.

 

ACPI enables the operating system to turn peripherals on and off and to control the amount

 

of power given to each device attached to the computer. With ACPI, a CD-ROM player can

 

be turned off by the operating system if it is not in use.

 

 

Application recovery

A recovery process that enables you to recover any of the applications initially available on

 

the computer. Performing an application recovery is useful when an individual application

 

does not run properly or to reinstall a driver when a device does not work properly. See the

 

printed Application CD Guide for more.

 

 

Application recovery disc

CD-ROM or other disc that enables a VAIO computer user to recover all the applications that

 

were available when the computer was purchased. The disc is supplied with the computer.

 

See the printed Application CD Guide for more.

 

 

BIOS

An acronym for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is a program that enables the computer

 

to start when you turn it on. It monitors the data stream between the operating system and

 

the computer’s hardware devices.

 

 

CardBus

CardBus is the commercial name for an advanced PC Card. The CardBus technology allows

 

computer users to enjoy higher performances as far as data transfer and operating speed are

 

concerned. See PCMCIA.