Dell Precision WorkStation 610 User Manual page 122

Glossary: Dell™ Precision™ WorkStation 610 Mini Tower Systems
The following list defines or identifies technical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used in Dell user documents.
NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, these definitions may apply only to the Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Windows NT®
operating systems
A
Abbreviation for ampere(s).
AC
Abbreviation for alternating current.
ACPI
Abbreviation for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface.
ACPI enables operating-system-directed power management
rather than system BIOS-directed power management. In
addition, it provides a generic system event mechanism for
Plug and Play and an interface for configuration control.
adapter card
An expansion card that plugs into an expansion-card
connector on the computer's system board. An adapter card
adds some specialized function to the computer by providing
an interface between the expansion bus and a peripheral
device. Examples of adapter cards include network cards,
sound cards, and SCSI adapters.
ADI
Abbreviation for Autodesk Device Interface.
AGP
Abbreviation for accelerated graphics port. AGP is a dedicated
graphics port that provides a faster interface between the
video subsystem and system memory than a PCI graphics
device and allows conventional memory to be used for video-
related tasks. The improved interface enables AGP to deliver a
smooth, true-color video image.
application program
Software, such as a spreadsheet or word processor, designed
to help you perform a specific task or series of tasks.
Application programs run from the operating system.
ASCII
MB
Abbreviation for megabyte(s). The term megabyte means
1,048,576 bytes; however, when referring to hard-disk drive
storage, the term is often rounded to mean 1,000,000 bytes.
MB/sec
Abbreviation for megabytes per second.
Mbps
Abbreviation for megabits per second.
MBR
Abbreviation for master boot record.
memory
A computer can contain several different forms of memory,
such as RAM, ROM, and video memory. Frequently, the word
memory is used as a synonym for RAM; for example, an
unqualified statement such as "a computer with 16 MB of
memory" refers to a computer with 16 MB of RAM.
memory address
A specific location, usually expressed as a hexadecimal
number, in the computer's RAM.
memory manager
A utility that controls the implementation of memory in addition
to conventional memory, such as extended or expanded
memory.
memory module
A small circuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to
the system board.
MHz
Abbreviation for megahertz.
MIDI
Abbreviation for musical instrument digital interface.