Diskette Drive; Display Adapter - Dell Inspiron 3500 System Reference Manual

Disable Autoplay
® ®
The autoplay feature in Microsoft Windows 98 interferes with the operation of the computer's power management time-outs. If Dell installed
Windows 98 on your hard-disk drive, the autoplay feature was disabled. If you enable autoplay, or if you installed Windows 98 yourself, Dell
recommends that you disable autoplay.
See your Windows 98 documentation for instructions on changing the Auto Insert Notification option.
diskette drive
The diskette drive is a removable-storage device which comes as a combination module with a CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive in the
computer's media bay. The diskette drive lets you install programs and transfer data using 3.5-inch diskettes.
display
See dual-scan display.
display adapter
The logical circuitry that provides—in combination with the display or monitor—your computer's video capabilities. A display adapter may support
more or fewer features than a specific display or monitor offers. Typically, a display adapter comes with video drivers for displaying popular
application programs and operating environments in a variety of video modes. On Dell portable computers, a display adapter is integrated into the
system board.
Display adapters often include memory separate from RAM on the system board. The amount of video memory, along with the adapter's video
drivers, may affect the number of colors or shades of gray that can be simultaneously displayed. Display adapters can also include their own
coprocessor for faster graphics rendering.
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.
DMTF
Abbreviation for Desktop Management Task Force, a consortium of companies representing hardware and software providers, of which Dell
Computer Corporation is a member.
DOC
Abbreviation for Department of Communications (in Canada).
dpi
Abbreviation for dots per inch.
DPMS
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Abbreviation for Display Power Management Signaling. A standard developed by 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 receiving 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.
driver
See device driver.
DTE
Abbreviation for data terminal equipment. Any device, such as a computer system, that can send data in digital form by means of a cable or
communications line. The DTE is connected to the cable or communications line through a data communications equipment (DCE) device, such
as a modem.
DVD
Abbreviation for digital versatile disc. A large-capacity optical disc able to store more data than standard CDs.