Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 145

card-edge connector
The metal-contact section on the bottom of an expansion
card that plugs into an expansion-card connector.
CD-ROM
Abbreviation for compact disc read-only memory.
CD-ROM drives use optical technology to read data from
CDs. CDs are read-only storage devices; you cannot write
new data to a CD with standard CD-ROM drives.
cm
Abbreviation for centimeter(s).
CMOS
Acronym for complementary metal-oxide semiconductor.
In computers, CMOS memory chips are often used for
NVRAM storage.
COM n
The device names for the first through fourth serial ports
on your computer are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.
The default interrupt for COM1 and COM3 is IRQ4, and
the default interrupt for COM2 and COM4 is IRQ3. There-
fore, you must be careful when configuring software that
runs a serial device so that you don't create an interrupt
conflict.
component
As they relate to DMI, manageable components are oper-
ating systems, computer systems, expansion cards, or
peripherals that are compatible with DMI. Each compo-
nent is made up of groups and attributes that are defined
as relevant to that component.
config.sys file
The config.sys file is executed when you boot your com-
puter (before running any commands in the autoexec.bat
file). This start-up file contains commands that specify
which devices to install and which drivers to use. This file
also contains commands that determine how the operating
system uses memory and controls files.
controller
A chip that controls the transfer of data between the
microprocessor and memory or between the micro-
processor and a peripheral device such as a disk drive or
the keyboard.
control panel
The part of the computer that contains indicators and con-
trols, such as the power switch, hard-disk drive access
indicator, and power indicator.
conventional memory
The first 640 KB of RAM. Conventional memory is found
in all computers. Unless they are specially designed,
®
MS-DOS programs are limited to running in convention-
al memory.
coprocessor
A chip that relieves the computer's microprocessor of spe-
cific processing tasks. A math coprocessor, for example,
handles numeric processing. A graphics coprocessor
handles video rendering. The Intel
processor, for example, includes a built-in math coprocessor.
cpi
Abbreviation for characters per inch.
CPU
Abbreviation for central processing unit. See also
microprocessor.
cursor
A marker, such as a block, underscore, or pointer that rep-
resents the position at which the next keyboard or mouse
action will occur.
DAT
Acronym for digital audio tape.
dB
Abbreviation for decibel(s).
dBA
Abbreviation for adjusted decibel(s).
DC
Abbreviation for direct current.
Dell Diagnostics
A comprehensive set of diagnostic tests for your Dell com-
puter. To use the diagnostics, you must boot your computer
from the Dell Diagnostics Diskette. Refer to your Diagnos-
tics and Troubleshooting Guide for more information about
using the Dell Diagnostics.
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®
Pentium micro-
Glossary 3