Toshiba Portege M400 User Manual page 243

D
data: Information that is factual, measurable or statistical that a computer
data bits: A data communications parameter controlling the number of bits
DC: Direct Current. Electric current that flows in one direction. This type of
default: The parameter value automatically selected by the system when
delete: To remove data from a disk or other data storage device.
device driver: A program that controls communication between a specific
dialog box: A window that accepts user input to make system settings or
disk drive: The device that randomly accesses information on a disk and
disk storage: Storing data on magnetic disk. Data is arranged on
display: A CRT, LCD, or other image producing device used to view
documentation: The set of manuals and/or other instructions written for
DOS: Disk Operating System. See operating system.
driver: A software program, generally part of the operating system, that
DVD-R (+R, -R): A Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable disk can be written
DVD-RAM: A Digital Versatile Disc-Random Access Memory is a high-
DVD-R DL: A disc having two layers on one side with the DVD-R storage
User's Manual
can process, store, or retrieve.
(binary digits) used to make up a byte. If data bits = 7 the computer
can generate 128 unique characters. If data bits = 8 the computer
can generate 256 unique characters.
power is usually supplied by batteries.
you or the program do not provide instructions. Also called a preset
value.
Synonymous with erase.
peripheral device and the computer. The CONFIG.SYS file contains
device drivers that MS-DOS loads when you turn the computer on.
record other information.
copies it to the computer's memory. It also writes data from memory
to the disk. To accomplish these tasks, the unit physically rotates the
disk at high speed past a read-write head.
concentric tracks much like a phonograph record.
computer output.
the users of a computer system or application. Computer system
documentation typically includes procedural and tutorial information
as well as system functions.
controls a specific piece of hardware (frequently a peripheral device
such as a printer or mouse).
once and read many times. The DVD-R drive uses a laser to read
data from the disc.
capacity, high performance disc that lets you store large volumes of
data. The DVD-ROM drive uses a laser to read data from the disc.
capacity about 1.8 times larger than before. The DVD-RW drive
uses a laser to read data from the disc.
Glossary
Glossary--6