Dell XPS 700 Owner's Manual

Also see for XPS 700: Quick setup guide Setup guide Service manual

Contents

Glossary 165device driver — See driver.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 usedisk striping generally allow the user to select the dataunit size or stripe width.DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allowscertain types of data transfer between RAM and a deviceto bypass the processor.docking device — See APR.DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — Aconsortium of hardware and software companies whodevelop management standards for distributed desktop,network, enterprise, and Internet environments.domain — A group of computers, programs, and deviceson a network that are administered as a unit with commonrules and procedures for use by a specific group of users. Auser logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources.DRAM — dynamic random-access memory — Memorythat stores information in integrated circuits containingcapacitors.driver — Software that allows the operating system tocontrol a device such as a printer. Many devices do notwork properly if the correct driver is not installed in thecomputer.DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology thatprovides a constant, high-speed Internet connectionthrough an analog telephone line.dual display mode — A display setting that allows you touse a second monitor as an extension of your display. Alsoreferred to as extended display mode.DVD — digital versatile disc — A high-capacity discusually used to store movies. DVD drives read most CDmedia as well.DVD drive — A drive that uses optical technology to readdata from DVDs and CDs.DVD player — The software used to watch DVD movies.The DVD player displays a window with buttons that youuse to watch a movie.DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version of aDVD. Data can be recorded only once onto a DVD-R.Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version ofa DVD. Data can be written to a DVD+RW disc, andthen erased and written over (rewritten). (DVD+RWtechnology is different from DVD-RW technology.)DVD+RW drive — drive that can read DVDs and mostCD media and write to DVD+RW (rewritable DVDs)discs.DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digitaltransmission between a computer and a digital videodisplay.EECC — error checking and correction — A type ofmemory that includes special circuitry for testing theaccuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory.ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel connectordesign that provides improved bidirectional datatransmission. Similar to EPP, ECP uses direct memoryaccess to transfer data and often improves performance.EIDE — enhanced integrated device electronics — Animproved version of the IDE interface for hard drives andCD drives.EMI — electromagnetic interference — Electricalinterference caused by electromagnetic radiation.ENERGY STAR® — Environmental Protection Agencyrequirements that decrease the overall consumption ofelectricity.EPP — enhanced parallel port — A parallel connectordesign that provides bidirectional data transmission.ESD — electrostatic discharge — A rapid discharge ofstatic electricity. ESD can damage integrated circuitsfound in computer and communications equipment.expansion card — A circuit board that installs in anexpansion slot on the system board in some computers,book.book Page 165 Thursday, July 20, 2006 11:10 AM