HP Compaq Presario,Presario 5116 Quick Start Manual page 172

product key. The technician matches it
against the database to determine whether
you qualify for support. You should keep a
record of all product keys to protect your
investment. They are comparable to the
serial numbers on hardware. See software.
See also hardware.
A set of instructions, written in
invisible code, that tells the hardware what
tasks to perform. Some programs are
installed at the factory as ROM chips that
cannot be altered; they are essential for
operating the microprocessor. These
programs are called firmware. Most
programs are installed as software from
removable storage media. The word
"program," however, is commonly used
for a specific type of software: applications
that create data files. See hardware and
software.
R
main memory of the computer. It holds a
copy of the operating system (OS), any
programs that are running on the computer,
and any data that is being processed. RAM
is temporary memory; turning off the
computer clears RAM. The more RAM
your computer has, the faster the programs
respond. See main memory, OS, program.
See also ROM.
To press and quickly release
the right mouse button to display a menu
of options. See pop-up menu.
contains the basic instructions for the
microprocessor. ROM is permanent
memory; turning off the computer does not
erase it. Since you cannot change or write
to ROM, it is referred to as read-only. See
microprocessor. See also RAM.
images of printed documents and
photographs. Optical character recognition
(OCR) and photo manipulation programs
allow you to save and edit the images on
your computer.
that appears on the screen when you stop
using your computer for a specified period
of time. Originally designed to protect the
monitor, screen savers are now used for
amusement.
The
across the screen when a document or Web
page is too long or too wide to view all at
once. Scroll bars are located along the right
side and across the bottom of a window.
When scroll arrows are present at the ends
of the bars, you know that some
information is off the screen. Click one of
the arrows to scroll the information into
view. See click.
(between the two mouse buttons) for
automatic scrolling through long
documents or Web pages. See scroll and
mouse.
S
A device that creates digital
A moving picture or pattern
To move information gradually
A mouse with a scroll wheel
Memory that