Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 152

Plug and Play
An industry-standard specification that makes it easier to
add hardware devices to personal computers. Plug and Play
provides automatic installation and configuration, compat-
ibility with existing hardware, and dynamic support of
mobile computing environments.
POST
Acronym for power-on self-test. Before the operating sys-
tem loads when you turn on your computer, the POST tests
various system components such as RAM, the disk drives,
and the keyboard.
ppm
Abbreviation for pages per minute.
PQFP
Abbreviation for plastic quad flat pack, a type of micro-
processor socket in which the microprocessor chip is
permanently mounted.
program diskette set
The set of diskettes from which you can perform a com-
plete installation of an operating system or application
program. When you reconfigure a program, you often need
its program diskette set.
protected mode
An operating mode supported by 80286 or higher micro-
processors, protected mode allows operating systems to
implement:
•
A memory address space of 16 MB (80286
microprocessor) to 4 GB (Intel386 or higher
microprocessor)
•
Multitasking
•
Virtual memory, a method for increasing addressable
memory by using the hard-disk drive
The Windows NT, OS/2, and UNIX
tems run in protected mode. MS-DOS cannot run in
protected mode; however, some programs that you can
start from MS-DOS, such as the Windows operating sys-
tem, are able to put the computer into protected mode.
PS/2
Abbreviation for Personal System/2.
10 Dell Workstation Mini Tower Systems User's Guide
®
32-bit operating sys-
RAM
Acronym for random-access memory. The computer's pri-
mary temporary storage area for program instructions and
data. Each location in RAM is identified by a number
called a memory address. Any information stored in RAM
is lost when you turn off your computer.
RAMDAC
Acronym for random-access memory digital-to-analog
converter.
read-only file
A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing
or deleting. A file can have read-only status if:
•
Its read-only attribute is enabled.
•
It resides on a physically write-protected diskette or
on a diskette in a write-protected drive.
•
It is located on a network in a directory to which the
system administrator has assigned read-only rights to
you.
readme file
A text file included with a software package or hardware
product that contains information supplementing or
updating the documentation for the software or hardware.
Typically, readme files provide installation information,
describe new product enhancements or corrections that
have not yet been documented, and list known problems
or other things you need to be aware of as you use the
software or hardware.
real mode
An operating mode supported by 80286 or higher micro-
processors, real mode imitates the architecture of an 8086
microprocessor.
refresh rate
The rate at which the monitor redraws the video image on
the monitor screen. More precisely, the refresh rate is the
frequency, measured in Hz, at which the screen's horizon-
tal lines are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its
vertical frequency). The higher the refresh rate, the less
video flicker can be seen by the human eye. The higher
refresh rates are also noninterlaced.
RFI
Abbreviation for radio frequency interference.