Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 144

batch file
An ASCII text file containing a list of commands 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.
baud rate
A measurement of data transmission speed. For example,
modems are designed to transmit data at one or more spec-
ified baud rate(s) through the COM (serial) port of a
computer.
BBS
Abbreviation for bulletin board service. A computer sys-
tem that serves as a central location for accessing data or
relaying messages by modem. For example, Dell's Tech-
Connect BBS contains the latest version of software, such
as video drivers. If your system has a modem, you can
access the BBS and download the most recent version of
this software.
beep code
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.
binary
A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to represent
information. The computer performs operations based on
the ordering and calculation of these numbers.
BIOS
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
bit
The smallest unit of information interpreted by your
computer.
2 Dell Workstation Mini Tower Systems User's Guide
boot routine
When you start your computer, it clears all memory,
initializes devices, and loads the operating system. Unless
the operating system fails to respond, you can reboot
(also called warm boot) your computer 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.
bootable diskette
You can start your computer from a diskette. To make a
bootable diskette, insert a diskette in the diskette drive,
type sys a: at the command line prompt, and press
<Enter>. Use this bootable diskette if your computer will
not boot from the hard-disk drive.
bpi
Abbreviation for bits per inch.
bps
Abbreviation for bits per second.
BTU
Abbreviation for British thermal unit.
bus
An information pathway between the components of a com-
puter. Your computer contains an expansion bus that allows
the microprocessor to communicate with controllers for all
the various peripheral devices connected to the computer.
Your computer also contains an address bus and a data bus
for communications between the microprocessor and RAM.
byte
Eight contiguous bits of information, the basic data unit
used by your computer.
C
Abbreviation for Celsius.
cache
A fast storage area that keeps a copy of data or instructions
for quicker data retrieval. For example, your computer's
BIOS may cache ROM code in faster RAM. Or, a disk-
cache utility may reserve RAM in which to store frequently
accessed information from your computer's disk drives;
when a program makes a request to a disk drive for data
that is in the cache, the disk-cache utility can retrieve the
data from RAM faster than from the disk drive.