Dell Dimension YH242 Owner's Manual

Also see for 9200: Owner's manual Setup guide Owner's manual Getting started guide Service manual

Contents

160 Glossarybus — A communication pathway between thecomponents in your computer.bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates howfast a bus can transfer information.byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byteis usually equal to 8 bits.CC — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point ofwater.cache — A special high-speed storage mechanism whichcan be either a reserved section of main memory or anindependent high-speed storage device. The cacheenhances the efficiency of many processor operations.L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor.L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be externalto the processor or incorporated into the processorarchitecture.carnet — An international customs document thatfacilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Alsoknown as a merchandise passport.CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD.Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Oncerecorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of aCD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and thenerased and written over (rewritten).CD-RW drive — A drive that can read CDs and write toCD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs)discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, butyou can write to CD-R discs only once.CD-RW/DVD drive — A drive, sometimes referred to as acombo drive, that can read CDs and DVDs and write toCD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs)discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, butyou can write to CD-R discs only once.clock speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicateshow fast computer components that are connected to thesystem bus operate.COA — Certificate of Authenticity — The Windowsalpha-numeric code located on a sticker on yourcomputer. Also referred to as the Product Key orProduct ID.Control Panel — A Windows utility that allows you tomodify operating system and hardware settings, such asdisplay settings.controller — A chip that controls the transfer of databetween the processor and memory or between theprocessor and devices.CRIMM — continuity rambus in-line memory module— A special module that has no memory chips and is usedto fill unused RIMM slots.cursor — The marker on a display or screen that showswhere the next keyboard, touch pad, or mouse action willoccur. It often is a blinking solid line, an underlinecharacter, or a small arrow.DDDR SDRAM — double-data-rate SDRAM — A type ofSDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle, improvingsystem performance.DDR2 SDRAM — double-data-rate 2 SDRAM — A typeof DDR SDRAM that uses a 4-bit prefetch and otherarchitectural changes to boost memory speed to over400 MHz.device — Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, orkeyboard that is installed in or connected to yourcomputer.device driver — See driver.DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit boardwith memory chips that connects to a memory module onthe system board.DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector thatconforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) standards;it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mousecable connectors.disk striping — A technique for spreading data overmultiple disk drives. Disk striping can speed up operationsthat retrieve data from disk storage. Computers that useDIM_book.book Page 160 Monday, October 15, 2007 11:04 AM