Dell Precision 410 User Manual page 156

video mode
Video adapters normally support multiple text and graph-
ics display modes. Character-based software displays in
text modes that can be defined as x columns by y rows of
characters. Graphics-based software displays in graphics
modes that can be defined as x horizontal by y vertical
pixels by z colors.
video resolution
Video resolution—800 x 600, for example—is expressed
as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up
and down. To display a program at a specific graphics res-
olution, you must install the appropriate video drivers and
your monitor must support the resolution.
virtual memory
A method for increasing addressable RAM by using the
hard-disk drive. For example, in a computer with 16 MB
of RAM and 16 MB of virtual memory set up on the hard-
disk drive, the operating system would manage the system
as though it had 32 MB of physical RAM.
virus
A self-starting program designed to inconvenience you.
Virus programs have been known to corrupt the files stored
on a hard-disk drive or to replicate themselves until a com-
puter or network runs out of memory.
The most common way that virus programs move from
one computer to another is via "infected" diskettes, from
which they copy themselves to the hard-disk drive. To
guard against virus programs, you should do the following:
•
Periodically run a virus-checking utility on your
computer's hard-disk drive
•
Always run a virus-checking utility on any diskettes
(including commercially sold software) before using
them
VLSI
Abbreviation for very-large-scale integration.
Vpp
Abbreviation for peak-point voltage.
14 Dell Workstation Mini Tower Systems User's Guide
VRAM
Abbreviation for video random-access memory. Some
video adapters use VRAM chips (or a combination of
VRAM and DRAM) to improve video performance.
VRAM is dual-ported, allowing the video adapter to up-
date the screen and receive new image data at the same
time.
W
Abbreviation for watt(s).
WH
Abbreviation for watt-hour(s).
win.ini file
A start-up file for the Windows operating system. When
you start Windows, it consults the win.ini file to determine
a variety of options for the Windows operating environ-
ment. Among other things, the win.ini file records what
printer(s) and fonts are installed for Windows. The win.ini
file also usually includes sections that contain optional set-
tings for Windows application programs that are installed
on the hard-disk drive.
Running the Control Panel or Windows Setup program
may change options in the win.ini file. On other occasions,
you may need to change or add options to the win.ini file
manually with a text editor such as Notepad.
Windows 95
An integrated and complete Microsoft Windows operating
system that does not require MS-DOS and that provides
advanced operating system performance, improved ease
of use, enhanced workgroup functionality, and simplified
file management and browsing.
Windows NT
High-performance server and workstation operating sys-
tem software developed by Microsoft that is intended for
technical, engineering, and financial applications.
write-protected
Read-only files are said to be write-protected. You can
write-protect a 3.5-inch diskette by sliding its write-protect
tab to the open position or by setting the write-protect fea-
ture in the System Setup program.