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Option card
A circuit board you can install inside the computer to provide
additional capabilities, such as a modem or an additional I/O
port. Option cards plug directly into option slots so you don't
have to alter a computer's circuitry to enhance your system.
Parallel
An interface that transmits data simultaneously over separate
wires in a cable. See also
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect. The standard developed
by Intel Corporation for expansion design. PCI allows
high-speed data transfer and was designed for the current
generation of processors, but its circuitry design is not tied to
the requirements of a specific processor or family.
PCMCIA card
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
card. A credit-card-sized device that can be used for data
storage, memory expansion, or other purposes. PCMCIA cards
are often used in notebook computers.
Port
A physical socket on a computer to which you can connect a
peripheral device.
Power-on diagnostics
Tests stored in ROM that check the computer's internal
circuitry, peripheral device configuration, and operating status
each time you turn it on or reset it.
6 Glossary
Serial.
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