Toshiba PRO L450D manual Glossary-8

Glossary

hard disk: A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more information than diskettes and are used for long-term storage of programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in a computer is usually fixed, but some computers have secondary hard disks that are removable. By default, the hard disk is referred to as drive C.

hard disk drive (HDD): An electromechanical device that reads and writes a hard disk. See also hard disk.

hardware: The physical electronic and mechanical components of a computer system: typically, the computer itself, external disk drives, etc. See also software and firmware.

hertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals one cycle per second.

host computer: The computer that controls, regulates, and transmits information to a device or another computer.

hot key: The computer's feature in which certain keys in combination with the extended function key, FN, can be used to set system parameters, such as speaker volume.

HW Setup: A TOSHIBA utility that lets you set the parameters for various hardware components.

icon: A small graphic image displayed on the screen or in the indicator panel. In Windows, an icon represents an object that the user can manipulate.

input: The data or instructions you provide to a computer, communication device or other peripheral device from the keyboard or external or internal storage devices. The data sent (or output) by the sending computer is input for the receiving computer.

instruction: Statements or commands that specify how to perform a particular task.

interface: 1) Hardware and/or software components of a system used specifically to connect one system or device to another. 2) To physically connect one system or device to another to exchange information. 3) The point of contact between user, the computer, and the program, for example, the keyboard or a menu.

interrupt request: A signal that gives a component access to the processor.

I/O: Input/output. Refers to acceptance and transfer of data to and from a computer.

I/O devices: Equipment used to communicate with the computer and transfer data to and from it.

IrDA 1.1: An industry standard that enables cableless infrared serial data transfer at speeds of up to 4 Mbps.

User’s Manual Glossary-8