Micron ClientPro XVI User Manual page 81

Modem: A device designed to allow computers to communicate over standard phone
lines.
Motherboard: See "System Board."
Non-Volatile Memory: Memory that is maintained even when power is not on.
On-Board Floppy: A floppy disk drive controller that is incorporated into the system
board.
Open: A circuit that is not complete. Usually accomplished by removing a jumper from
two pins on the system board or a peripheral card. Also see "Closed" and "Jumper."
Operating System: The software the provides a link between application programs and
the computer hardware (e.g., disks, memory).
PCI: Peripheral Component Interface. A form of local bus architecture that provides
high-speed interconnection without directly interfacing with the processor.
Page Mode: Special function in DRAM that saves up to about 30% in cycle time by not
re-loading RAS bits.
Page: Sections of memory consisting of sets of consecutive bytes. Pages begin on 4-
KB boundaries.
Peripheral Card: A printed circuit board that gives the computer added capability, such
as more memory or control of a new device. A card plugs into one of the expansion
slots located on the system board.
Peripheral: Any device that is connected to the computer system (e.g., printers,
keyboard, plotters, etc.).
Pin: Any of the leads on a device, such as an integrated circuit, that plug into a socket
and connect to a system.
POST (Power On Self Test): Check-out procedures that the BIOS runs automatically
when the system is turned on. These procedures verify that all computer hardware
is functioning properly. If the test detects problems, the computer displays error
codes before (or instead of) starting the operating system. The error codes can help
a service person determine what is wrong with the computer.
Program: A set of instructions that a computer interprets to perform some task. Also see
"Application" and "Operating System."
RAM: Random-Access Memory. The type of computer memory that can be used to store
information while a program is running. RAM consists of a number of small
integrated circuits that are plugged into the system board or an external memory
card.
Micron Electronics, Inc.
Appendix C: Glossary
C-3