Dell Precision WorkStation 210, User Manual

Page: 231 / 247

Glossary 13
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A computer’s system and video
BIOS code is usually stored on ROM
chips. Shadowing refers to the
performance-enhancement technique
that copies BIOS code to faster RAM
chips in the upper memory area (above
640 KB) during the boot routine.
6,0'
Abbreviation for Single Instruction
Multiple Data.
6,00
Acronym for single in-line memory
module. A small circuit board containing
DRAM chips that connects to the system
board.
60$57
Acronym for Self-Monitoring Analysis and
Reporting Technology. A technology that
allows hard-disk drives to report errors
and failures to the system BIOS, which
then displays an error message on the
screen. To take advantage of this technol-
ogy, you must have a SMART-compliant
hard-disk drive and the proper support in
the system BIOS.
6103
Abbreviation for Simple Network
Management Protocol. SNMP is an
industry-standard interface that allows a
network manager to remotely monitor
and manage workstations.
65$0
Abbreviation for static random-access
memory. Because SRAM chips do not
require continual refreshing, they are
substantially faster than DRAM chips.
656
Abbreviation for sound retrieval system.
69*$
Abbreviation for super video graphics
array. VGA and SVGA are video standards
for video adapters with greater resolution
and color display capabilities than
previous standards.
To display a program at a specific
resolution, you must install the
appropriate video drivers and your
monitor must support the resolution.
Similarly, the number of colors that a
program can display depends on the
capabilities of the monitor, the video
driver, and the amount of video memory
installed in the computer.
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On a computer system board, switches
control various circuits or functions in your
computer system. These switches are
known as
DIP switches;
they are normally
packaged in groups of two or more
switches in a plastic case. Two common
DIP switches are used on system boards:
slide
switches and
rocker
switches. The
names of the switches are based on how
the settings (on and off) of the switches
are changed.
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The rules that dictate how you must type
a command or instruction so that the
computer understands it.
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As the main circuit board, the system
board usually contains most of your
computer’s integral components, such
as the following:
‡
Microprocessor
‡
RAM
‡
Controllers for standard peripheral
devices, such as the keyboard
‡
Various ROM chips
Frequently used synonyms for system
board are
motherboard
and
logic board
.