Toshiba Satellite A500-ST56X1 User Manual page 238

Satellite A500/A500D
file: A collection of related information; a file can contain data, programs,
fingerprint sensor: The fingerprint sensor compares and analyzes the
firmware: A set of instructions built into the hardware which controls and
flash memory: Non-volatile memory that can be written to as well as read.
floppy diskette: A removable disk that stores magnetically encoded data.
floppy diskette drive (FDD): An electromechanical device that reads and
Fn-esse: A TOSHIBA utility that lets you assign functions to hot keys.
folder: An icon in Windows used to store documents or other folders.
format: The process of preparing a blank disk for its first use. Formatting
function keys: The keys labeled F1 through F9 that tell the computer to
G
gigabyte (GB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 megabytes. See also
graphics: Drawings, pictures, or other images, such as charts or graphs, to
H
hard disk: A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that can
hard disk drive (HDD): An electromechanical device that reads and writes
hardware: The physical electronic and mechanical components of a
hertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals one cycle per second.
host computer: The computer that controls, regulates, and transmits
Glossary-8
or both.
unique characteristics in a fingerprint.
directs a microprocessor's activities.
Information in flash memory remains whether or not the computer is
receiving power. This type of memory is used to retain your
fingerprint data. See also memory. Compare RAM and ROM.
writes to floppy diskettes.
establishes the structure of the disk that the operating system
expects before it writes files or programs onto the disk.
perform certain functions.
megabyte.
present information.
be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more
information than diskettes and are used for long-term storage of
programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in a computer is
usually fixed, but some computers have secondary hard disks that
are removable. By default, the hard disk is referred to as drive C.
a hard disk. See also hard disk.
computer system: typically, the computer itself, external disk drives,
etc. See also software and firmware.
information to a device or another computer.
User's Manual