Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 214

2 Dell Precision 410 Mini Tower Systems User's Guide
DWWULEXWH
As it relates to DMI, an attribute is a
piece of information related to a compo-
nent. Attributes can be combined to
form groups. If an attribute is defined as
read-write, it may be defined by a man-
agement application.
ILOH
DXWRH[HFEDW
The autoexec.bat file (Windows 95 and
MS-DOS only) is executed when you boot
your computer (after executing any
commands in the config.sys file). This
start-up file contains commands that de-
fine the characteristics of each device
connected to your computer, and it finds
and executes programs stored in loca-
tions other than the active directory.
EDFNXS
A copy of a program or data file. As a
precaution, you should back up your com-
puter's hard-disk drive on a regular basis.
Before making a change to the configura-
tion of your computer, you should back up
important start-up files from your operat-
ing system.
EDFNXS EDWWHU\
The backup battery maintains system
configuration, date, and time information
in a special section of memory when the
system is turned off.
EDVH PHPRU\
Synonym for conventional memory. See
also conventional memory.
EDWFK ILOH
An ASCII text file containing a list of com-
mands that run in sequence. Instead of
typing each command, you need only type
the batch filename. The system executes
the commands as if you had typed each
one individually. Both files must have a
filename extension of bat.
EDXG UDWH
A measurement of data transmission
speed. For example, modems are de-
signed to transmit data at one or more
specified baud rate(s) through the COM
(serial) port of a computer.
%%6
Abbreviation for bulletin board service. A
computer system that serves as a central
location for accessing data or relaying
messages by modem. For example, Dell's
TechConnect BBS contains the latest ver-
sion of software, such as video drivers. If
your system has a modem, you can ac-
cess the BBS and download the most
recent version of this software.
EHHS FRGH
A diagnostic message in the form of a
pattern of beeps from your computer's
speaker. For example, one beep, followed
by a second beep, and then a burst of
three beeps is beep code 1-1-3.
ELQDU\
A base-2 numbering system that uses 0
and 1 to represent information. The com-
puter performs operations based on the
ordering and calculation of these
numbers.
%,26
Acronym for basic input/output system.
Your computer's BIOS contains programs
stored on a flash memory chip. The BIOS
controls the following:
Communications between the
microprocessor and peripheral
devices, such as the keyboard and
the video adapter
Miscellaneous functions, such as
system messages
ELW
The smallest unit of information interpret-
ed by your computer.
ERRW URXWLQH
When you start your computer, it clears
all memory, initializes devices, and loads
the operating system. Unless the operat-
ing system fails to respond, you can
reboot (also called warm boot ) your com-
puter by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>;
otherwise, you must perform a cold boot
by pressing the reset button or by turning
the computer off and then back on.