Toshiba 8100 User Manual page 324

298
Glossary
deselect: To remove highlighting from text, such as an item in a list or
menu, or to remove handles from graphical objects.
device: A component attached to the computer. Internal devices include
the hard disk and screen. External devices you can connect to the
computer include a monitor, printer and port replicator.
device driver: A program that controls the operation of a specific device
such as the screen, CD-ROM drive or printer. The operating system
loads many device drivers when you turn on the computer.
dialog box: 1) A box requesting information. Typically it contains a
combination of buttons, lists and text-entry boxes. 2) A box
containing a message. It may tell you that a process has completed
successfully. Alternatively, it may be a warning that the computer
cannot do what you asked or that obeying your instructions may
destroy data. This second type of dialog box is also called a message
box.
DIMM: Dual Inline Memory Module. A unit of RAM used for memory
expansion.
direct current (DC): Electric current that flows in one direction. This type
of power is usually supplied by batteries.
Direct Memory Access (DMA): A dedicated channel which bypasses the
Central Processing Unit (CPU) and enables a device to access
memory directly. If two devices use the same DMA channel, the
data required by one device overwrites the data required by the
other—this is one type of hardware conflict. To resolve the conflict,
you must reassign one of the devices to a vacant DMA channel.
directory: See folder.
disable: To turn a computer option off. In a menu or dialog box, a
disabled option appears dim (or "grayed out") and clicking it has no
effect. See also enable.
disk: A circular platter that can store computer information. In the case of
the hard disk and diskettes, the platter is coated with a magnetic
material and enclosed inside a protective case. The CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM, however, is an optical, not a magnetic, storage
medium. See also CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, diskette.
Part III: Appendixes