NEC VERSA LX Manual page 196

BIOS
Basic Input Output System. A collection of primitive computer routines,
usually burnt into ROM, that controls the real-time clock, keyboard, disk
drives, video display, and other peripheral devices.
bit
Binary digit. The smallest unit of computer data.
bits per second
(bps) A unit of transmission. Also called baud rate.
board
Printed circuit board (PCB). Board on which computer components are
soldered and thin wires are printed to connect the components.
boot
To start up a computer. See cold boot and warm boot.
bus
An electronic circuit within a computer used for transmitting data or
electrical power from one device to another.
byte
Group of eight contiguous bits.
C
CardBus
A 32-bit high-performance bus defined by the new PC Card Standard and
released by the PCMCIA standards body and trade associations. CardBus
offers wider and faster 32-bit bus and bus mastering operation for improved
adapter performance and can operate at speeds up to 32-MHz.
CD
Compact disc. A polished metal platter capable of storing digital
information. The most prevalent types of compact disks or those used by
the music industry to store digital recordings and CDs used to store
computer data. Both types are read-only, which means that once the data is
recorded onto them, they can only be read or played.
2 Glossary