Glossary 197SSAS — serial attached SCSI — A faster, serial version of the SCSI interface (asopposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture).SATA — serial ATA — A faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface.ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk’s surfacefor errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stoppedresponding.SCSI — small computer system interface — A high-speed interface used to connectdevices to a computer, such as hard drives, CD drives, printers, and scanners. TheSCSI can connect many devices using a single controller. Each device is accessed by anindividual identification number on the SCSI controller bus.SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory — A type of DRAM that issynchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor.serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handhelddigital device or digital camera to your computer.Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer whenyou access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer serviceor technical support.setup program — A program that is used to install and configure hardware andsoftware. The setup.exe or install.exe program comes with most Windows softwarepackages. Setup program differs from system setup.shortcut — An icon that provides quick access to frequently used programs, files,folders, and drives. When you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and double-click the icon, you can open its corresponding folder or file without having to find itfirst. Shortcut icons do not change the location of files. If you delete a shortcut, theoriginal file is not affected. Also, you can rename a shortcut icon.SIM — Subscriber Identity Module — A SIM card contains a microchip that encryptsvoice and data transmissions. SIM cards can be used in phones or portable computers.smart card — A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip. Smartcards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards.S/PDIF — Sony/Philips Digital Interface — An audio transfer file format that allowsthe transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from ananalog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.standby mode — A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessarycomputer operations to save energy.
