Fujitsu LifeBook C-4120, Manual

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Appendices
A p p e n d i c e s
L i f e B o o k C S e r i e s f r o m F u j i t s u
95
GLOSSARY
AC Adapter
A device which converts the AC voltage from a
wall outlet to the DC voltage needed to power
your computer.
Active-Matrix Display
A type of technology for making flat-panel
displays which has a transistor or similar
device for every pixel on the screen.
Auto/Airline Adapter
A device which converts the DC voltage from
an automobile cigarette lighter or aircraft DC
power outlet to the DC voltage needed to power
your notebook.
BIOS
Basic Input-Output System. A computer pro-
gram and set of default parameters stored in
ROM which tests and operates your computer
when you turn it on until it loads your installed
operating system from disk. Information from
the BIOS is transferred to the installed operat-
ing system to provide it with information on
the configuration and status of the hardware.
Bit
An abbreviation for binary digit. A single piece of
information which is either a one (1) or a zero (0).
bps
An abbreviation for bits per second. Used to
describe data transfer rates.
Boot
To start-up a computer and load its operating
system from disk, ROM or other storage media
into RAM.
Bus
An electrical circuit which passes data between
the CPU and the sub-assemblies inside
your computer.
Byte
8 bits of parallel binary information.
Cache Memory
A block of memory built into the micro-proces-
sor which is much faster to access than your sys-
tem RAM and used in specially structured ways
to make your overall data handling time faster.
CardBus
A faster, 32-bit version of the PC Card interface
which offers performance similar to the 32-bit
PCI architecture.
CD-ROM
Compact disc read-only memory. This is a form
of digital data storage which is read optically
with a laser rather than a magnetic head. A
typical CD-ROM can contain about 600MB
of data.
CMOS RAM
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor
random access memory. This is a technology for
manufacturing random access memory which
requires very low levels of power to operate.
COM Port
Abbreviation for communication port.
This is your serial interface connection.
Command
An instruction which you give your operating
system. Example: run a particular application
or format a floppy disk.