AST RESEARCH 9000 Series, User Manual

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68 Advantage! 9000 Series User’s Manual
POST (power-on self-test)
A test performed by the computer whenever you turn on the
power or press the reset button. POST checks system
integrity.
RAM (random-access memory)
A portion of the computer system’s memory that is
designed as a temporary storage area for data and
programs. RAM includes conventional and extended
memory. You can write to and read from RAM.
Information stored in RAM is erased when the system is
turned off. To preserve your data, you need to save it to a
disk.
ROM (read-only memory)
Permanent computer memory dedicated to a particular
function. For example, the instructions for starting the
computer when you first turn on power are contained in
ROM. You cannot write to ROM. (ROM is not the same as
random-access memory).
Root directory
The main directory in a drive.
SIMM (single inline memory module)
A small circuit board with memory chips.
Window
A rectangular area on you screen in which you view an
application program or a file.
3694manl.bk : 3694manl.fm Page 68 Tuesday, December 24, 1996 9:15 AM