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Appendix
POST (Power On Self Test)
When you turn on the computer, it will first run through the POST, a series of software-controlled
diagnostic tests. The POST checks system memory, the motherboard circuitry, the display, the keyboard,
the diskette drive, and other I/O devices.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
There are several different types of RAM such as DDR (Double Dynamic RAM), DRAM (Dynamic
RAM), EDO DRAM (Extended Data Output DRAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM).
ROM (Read Only Memory)
ROM is nonvolatile memory used to store permanent programs (called firmware) used in certain computer
components. Flash ROM (or EEPROM) can be reprogrammed with new programs (or BIOS).
Suspend Mode
In "Stand by" (STR) and "Hibernation" (STD), the CPU clock is stopped and most of the Notebook PC
devices are put in their lowest active state. The suspend mode is the lowest power state of the Notebook
PC. The Notebook PC enters suspend mode when the system remains idle for a specified amount of time
or manually using the [Fn][F1] keys. The Power LED blinks slowly when the Notebook PC is in STR
mode. In STD mode, the Notebook PC will appear to be powered OFF. Recover from STR by pressing
any keyboard button (except Fn). Recover from STD by using the power switch (just like powering
ON the Notebook PC).
System Disk
A system disk contains the core file of an operating system and is used to boot up the operating system.
Twisted-Pair Cable
The cable used to connect the Ethernet card to a host (generally a Hub or Switch) is called a straight-
through Twisted Pair Ethernet (TPE). The end connectors are called RJ-45 connectors, which are not
compatible with RJ-11 telephone connectors. If connecting two computers together without a hub in
between, a crossover twisted-pair is required.
UltraDMA/66 or 100
UltraDMA/66 or 100 are new specifications to improve IDE transfer rates. Unlike traditional PIO
mode, which only uses the rising edge of IDE command signal to transfer data, UltraDMA/66 or 100
uses both rising edge and falling edge.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A new 4-pin serial peripheral bus that allows plug and play computer peripherals such as keyboard,
mouse, joystick, scanner, printer and modem/ISDN to be automatically configured when they are attached
physically without having to install drivers or reboot. With USB, the traditional complex cables from
back panel of your PC can be eliminated.
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