Dma Channel - Dell Precision 410 User Manual

Dell DiskMaker
The Dell DiskMaker allows you to create program diskette
sets, or master copies, of software that Dell installed on
your computer system. It is essential that you create these
diskette sets as soon as possible. You may need a set of
master diskettes if you ever experience problems with your
hard-disk drive and need to reinstall your Dell-installed
software. If your system includes Dell-installed software,
you can select this program from the Dell Accessories pro-
gram folder.
Dell Inspector
A DMI browser that allows you to view your computer
system's current hardware configuration and operating
system version. If your system includes Dell-installed soft-
ware, you can select this program from the Dell
Accessories program folder.
device driver
A program that allows the operating system or some other
program to interface correctly with a peripheral device,
such as a printer. Some device drivers—such as network
drivers—must be loaded from the config.sys file (with a
device= statement) or as memory-resident programs (usu-
ally, from the autoexec.bat file). Others—such as video
drivers—must load when you start the program for which
they were designed.
DIMM
Acronym for dual in-line memory module. A small cir-
cuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to the
system board.
DIN
Acronym for Deutsche Industrie Norm.
DIP
Acronym for dual in-line package. A circuit board, such
as a system board or expansion card, may contain DIP
switches for configuring the circuit board. DIP switches
are always toggle switches, with an ON position and an
OFF position.
directory
Directories help keep related files organized on a disk in a
hierarchical, "inverted tree" structure. Each disk has a
"root" directory; for example, a
indicates that you are at the root directory of hard-disk
4 Dell Workstation Mini Tower Systems User's Guide
prompt normally
C:\>
drive C. Additional directories that branch off of the root
directory are called subdirectories. Subdirectories may con-
tain additional directories branching off of them.
display adapter
See video adapter.
DMA
Abbreviation for direct memory access. A DMA channel
allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a
device to bypass the microprocessor.
DMI
Abbreviation for Desktop Management Interface. DMI en-
ables the management of your computer system's software
and hardware. DMI collects information about the sys-
tem's components, such as the operating system, memory,
peripherals, expansion cards, and asset tag. Information
about the system's components is displayed as a MIF file
or through the Dell Inspector program.
DMTF
Abbreviation for Desktop Management Task Force, a con-
sortium of companies representing hardware and software
providers, of which Dell Computer Corporation is a
member.
dpi
Abbreviation for dots per inch.
DPMS
Abbreviation for Display Power Management Signaling. A
standard developed by the Video Electronics Standards As-
®
sociation (VESA ) that defines the hardware signals sent
by a video controller to activate power management states
in a monitor. A monitor is said to be DPMS-compliant when
it is designed to enter a power management state after re-
ceiving the appropriate signal from a computer's video
controller.
DRAM
Abbreviation for dynamic random-access memory. A
computer's RAM is usually made up entirely of DRAM
chips. Because DRAM chips cannot store an electrical
charge indefinitely, your computer continually refreshes
each DRAM chip in the computer.