down your computer.
readme file
—
A text file included with a software package or hardware product. Typically, readme files provide installation information and describe new
product enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented.
read-Only
—
Data and/or files you can view but cannot edit or delete. A file can have read-only status if:
l
It resides on a physically write-protected floppy disk, CD, or DVD.
l
It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned rights only to specific individuals.
refresh rate
—
The frequency, measured in Hz, at which your screen's horizontal lines are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its
vertical frequency
). The
higher the refresh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye.
resolution
—
The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed on a monitor. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.
RFI
—
radio frequency interference
—
Interference that is generated at typical radio frequencies, in the range of 10 kHz to 100,000 MHz. Radio frequencies are
at the lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have interference than the higher frequency radiations, such as infrared
and light.
ROM
—
read-only memory
—
Memory that stores data and programs that cannot be deleted or written to by the computer. ROM, unlike RAM, retains its
contents after you shut down your computer. Some programs essential to the operation of your computer reside in ROM.
RPM
—
revolutions per minute
—
The number of rotations that occur per minute. Hard drive speed is often measured in rpm.
RTC
—
real time clock
—
Battery-powered clock on the system board that keeps the date and time after you shut down the computer.
RTCRST
—
real-time clock reset
—
A jumper on the system board of some computers that can often be used for troubleshooting problems.
S
ScanDisk
—
A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk's surface for errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has
stopped responding.
SDRAM
—
synchronous dynamic random-access memory
—
A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the microprocessor.
serial connector
—
An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera to your computer.
Service Tag
—
A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at
support.dell.com
or when you call Dell for
customer service or technical support.
setup program
—
A program that is used to install and configure hardware and software. The
setup.exe
or
install.exe
program comes with most Windows
software packages. Setup program differs from system setup program.
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 it first. Shortcut icons do not change the location of files. If you
delete a shortcut, the original file is not affected. Also, you can rename a shortcut icon.
shutdown
—
The process of closing windows and exiting programs, exiting the operating system, and turning off your computer. You can lose data if you turn
off your computer before completing a shutdown.
smart card
—
A card that is embedded with a microprocessor and a memory chip. Smart cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for
smart cards.
software
—
Anything that can be stored electronically, such as computer files or programs.
S/PDIF
—
Sony/Philips Digital Interface
—
An audio transfer file format that allows the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and
from an analog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.
standby mode
—
A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary computer operations to save energy.
surge protectors
—
Prevent voltage spikes, such as those that may occur during an electrical storm, from entering the computer through the electrical outlet.
Surge protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts, which occur when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal
AC-line voltage level.
Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors. Always disconnect the network cable from the network connector during electrical storms.
SVGA
—
super-video graphics array
—
A video standard for video cards and controllers. Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768. The number of
colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the capabilities of the monitor, the video controller and its drivers, and the amount of video memory
installed in the computer.
S-video TV-out
—
A connector used to attach a TV or digital audio device to the computer.
SXGA
—
super-extended graphics array
—
A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.
SXGA+
—
super-extended graphics array plus
—
A video standard for video cards and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050.
system board
—
The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the
motherboard
.
system setup program
—
A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. System setup allows you to
configure user-selectable options in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Unless you understand what effect the settings have on the
computer, do not change the settings for this program.
system tray
—
See
notification area
.
T
