-Vocabulary Section- (N-Z) 
Quick-[ N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z ]-Bar

N

Nanosecond- A unit of time equal to one billionth of a second. An advertisement for 60ns RAM chips, for example, means that the RAM chips respond to the central processing unit (CPU) within 60 nanoseconds.

Network- A communications and data exchange system created by physically connecting two or more computers with network interface cards and cables, and running a network operating system (NOS).

Network Interface Card- An adapter that lets you connect network cable to a computer. Networks such as Ethernet, which uses interface cards can transmit information much faster than networks such as AppleTalk, which uses serial ports.

Non-volatile Memory- The memory specially designed to hold information, even when the power is switched off. Read-only memory (ROM) is non-volatile, as are all secondary storage units such as disk drives.

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O

On-board Speaker- A small speaker located inside the computer's case.

Operating System- A master control program that manages the computer's internal functions and provides a mean to control the computer's operations.

overvoltage- Unusually high voltage, typically in the forms of spikes of surges greater than 130 volts from a wall outlet. A surge protector provides overvoltage protection.

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P

Page-mode RAM- High-performance dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips found in high-end systems that include a buffer, that stores data likely to be needed by the central processing unit (CPU).

Parallel Port- A connection for the synchronous, high-speed flow of data along parallel lines to a device, usually a parallel printer.

Partition- A section of the storage area of a hard disk created for organizational purposes or to separate different operating systems. A partition is usually created during the initial preparation of the hard disk.

PCI Slot- A socket for adapters in a motherboard equipped with a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion bus.

Plug and Play- Windows 95 Uses Plug and Play BIOS to help set up new hardware without having to fuss with jumper settings.

Plug and Play BIOS (PnP BIOS)- A basic input-output system (BIOS) compatible with Plug and Play standard, which, when used in conjunction with a Plug and Play compatible operating system (such as Windows 95) and Plug and Play compatible adapters, enables you to install adapters in the expansion nus without creating interrupt request (IRQ) conflicts or port conflicts.

Primary Cache- Cache memory built into the microprocessor, instead of located on the motherboard like secondary cache memory, which is also called L2 cache.

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Q

Quit- To exit a program properly so that all your configuration choices and data are properly stored.

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R

Random-access Memory (RAM)- The computer's primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the central processing unit (CPU) via the processor's high-speed external data bus.

Read-only Memory- The portion of a computer's primary storage that doesn't lose its contents when you shut down your computer. ROM contains essential system programs that neither you nor the computer can erase.

Reboot- To restart your computer.

Reformat- In operating systems, to repeat a formatting operation on a floppy or Hard Disk.

Reliability- The capability of hardware or software to perform as the user expects and to do so consistently, without failure or erratic behavior.

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S

Save- To transfer data from the computer's random-access memory (RAM), where the data is vulnerable to erasure, to a storage medium such as a disk drive.

Seek Time- In a secondary storage device, the time that it takes the read/write head to reach the correct location on the disk.

Serial Port- A port that synchronizes and manages asynchronous communication between the computer and devices such as serial printers, modems, and other computers.

Single In-line Memory Modules (SIMM)- A plug-in memory unit that contains all the chips required add 4M, 8M, 16M, 32M, and 64M of random-access memory (RAM) to a computer.

Slave- The second hard drive in a series of two connected to an IDE host adapter.

Sleep Mode- A state in which the microprocessor shuts down nonessential components during periods of disuse.

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)- An interface amounting to a complete expansion bus in which you can plug devices such as hard drives, CD-ROM disk drives, scanners, and laser printers.

Sound Card- An adapter that adds digital sound reproduction capabilities to an IBM PC-compatible PC, making it more suitable for multimedia applications.

Super VGA- An enhancement of the Video Graphics Array (VGA) display standard. Super VGA can display at least 800 pixels horizontally and 600 lines vertically, and up to 1,280 pixels by 768 lines with 16 colors, 256 colors, or 16.7 million color simultaneously displayed.

Surge Protector- An inexpensive electrical device that prevents high-voltage surges from reaching a computer and damaging its circuitry.

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T

T1- A high-bandwidth telephone trunk line that is capable of transferring 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps) of data.

T3- Same as T1, but can transfer up to 44.21 megabits per second (Mbps) of computer data.

Tower Case- A system unit case designed to stand vertically on the floor rather than sit horizontally on a desk.

Transfer Rate- The number of bytes of data that can be transferred per second from a disk to the microprocessor, after the read/write head reaches the data.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP- The set of standards (protocols) for data transmission and error correction that allows the transfer of data from one Internet-linked computer to another.

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U

Upgrade- To buy a new release or version of a program, or a more recent or more powerful version of a microprocessor or peripheral.

User-friendly- A program or computer system designed so that individuals who lack extensive computer experience or training can use the system without becoming confused or frustrated.

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V

Version- A specific release of a software or hardware product.

VESA- Acronym for Video Electronics Standards Association.

Video Adapter- The adapter that generates the output required to display text and graphics on a monitor.

Video Memory- A set of memory chips to which the CPU writes display information, and from which the video controller reads data prior to sending it to the monitor.

Video RAM (VRAM)- Specially designed dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips that maximize the performance of video adapters. High-end VRAM, called dual-ported VRAM, allows simultaneous reading and writing of the data.

Voodoo Chipset- A company called 3dfx Interactive has become one of the largest video card chipset producers for advanced gaming.

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W

Windows 95- An operations system for Intel-based 80386X, 486, and Pentium microprocessors. Windows 95 is designed for running Windows applications, including multimedia applications, in homes and offices. A completely redesigned graphical user interface (GUI) enhances ease of learning as well as day-to-day usability. Windows 95 incorporates Plug and Play capabilities, which allow nearly automatic installation and configuration of compatible accessories (such as sound cards and CD-ROM drives).

Winsock- An open standard that specifies how a dynamic link library (DLL) should be written to provide TCP/IP support for Windows 95 systems.

Winstone- A benchmark test developed by Ziff-Davis Publishing's PC Labs that attempt to simulate real-world conditions and test all aspects of a system's performance.

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X

X Windows- A network windowing environment commonly used on UNIX-based workstations.

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Y

NO WORDS LISTED

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Z