Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 153

RGB
Abbreviation for red/green/blue.
ROM
Acronym for read-only memory. Your computer contains
some programs essential to its operation in ROM code.
Unlike RAM, a ROM chip retains its contents even after
you turn off your computer. Examples of code in ROM
include the program that initiates your computer's boot
routine and the POST.
rpm
Abbreviation for revolutions per minute.
RTC
Abbreviation for real-time clock. Battery-powered clock
circuitry inside the computer that keeps the date and time
after you turn off the computer.
SCSI
Acronym for small computer system interface. An I/O bus
interface with faster data transmission rates than standard
ports. You can connect up to seven devices (15 for some
newer SCSI types) to one SCSI interface.
SDMS
Abbreviation for SCSI device management system.
sec
Abbreviation for second(s).
SEC
Abbreviation for single-edge contact.
serial port
An I/O port used most often to connect a modem to your
computer. You can usually identify a serial port on your
computer by its 9-pin connector.
service tag number
A bar code label on the computer that identifies it when
you call Dell for customer or technical support.
shadowing
A computer's system and video BIOS code is usually
stored on ROM chips. Shadowing refers to the
performance-enhancement technique that copies BIOS
code to faster RAM chips in the upper memory area (above
640 KB) during the boot routine.
SIMD
Abbreviation for Single Instruction Multiple Data.
SIMM
Acronym for single in-line memory module. A small cir-
cuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to the
system board.
SMART
Acronym for Self-Monitoring Analysis Reporting Tech-
nology. A technology that allows hard-disk drives to report
errors and failures to the system BIOS, which then displays
an error message on the screen. To take advantage of this
technology, you must have a SMART-compliant hard-disk
drive and the proper support in the system BIOS.
SNMP
Abbreviation for Simple Network Management Protocol.
SNMP is an industry-standard interface that allows a net-
work manager to remotely monitor and manage
workstations.
SRAM
Abbreviation for static random-access memory. Because
SRAM chips do not require continual refreshing, they are
substantially faster than DRAM chips.
SVGA
Abbreviation for super video graphics array. VGA and
SVGA are video standards for video adapters with greater
resolution and color display capabilities than previous
standards.
To display a program at a specific resolution, you must
install the appropriate video drivers and your monitor must
support the resolution. Similarly, the number of colors that
a program can display depends on the capabilities of the
monitor, the video driver, and the amount of video memory
installed in the computer.
switch
On a computer system board, switches control various cir-
cuits or functions in your computer system. These switches
are known as DIP switches; they are normally packaged
in groups of two or more switches in a plastic case. Two
common DIP switches are used on system boards: slide
switches and rocker switches. The names of the switches
are based on how the settings (on and off) of the switches
are changed.
Glossary 11