HP Compaq Presario, User Manual

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M
Y
P
RESARIO
—L
EARNING
M
ORE
G
LOSSARY
17
R
RAM (random access memory)
The
main memory of the computer. It holds a
copy of the operating system (OS), any
programs that are running on the computer,
and any data that is being processed. RAM
is temporary memory; turning off the
computer clears RAM. The more RAM
your computer has, the faster the programs
respond. See main memory, OS, program ,
and data file . See also ROM .
random erase
The ability to erase a single
file at a time from a CD-ReWritable CD,
freeing up CD space for immediate re-use,
just as you would do on a hard or floppy
disk. (Available with CD-RW CDs and
DirectCD).
recordable disc
The media used in
recordable CD systems. The blank CD is
made of a bottom layer of polycarbonate,
with a preformed track spiral, which the
recording laser follows when inscribing
information onto the CD. A translucent
layer of recordable material is laid on top
of the polycarbonate, then a reflective
layer (gold or silver colored). On top there
is a thin layer of lacquer and sometimes a
printed label. The standard recordable CD
is “write-once,” where data written to it
cannot be erased, although it is possible to
add data in a later session. See
multi-session . For erasable and rewritable
CDs, see CD-RW .
right-click
To press and quickly release
the right mouse button to display a menu
of options. See pop-up menu .
ROM (read-only memory)
Memory that
contains the basic instructions for the
microprocessor. ROM is permanent
memory; turning off the computer does not
erase it. Since you cannot change or write
to ROM, it is referred to as read-only. See
microprocessor . See also RAM .
Run-In/Run-Out Blocks
Blocks of
written data before and after a packet or a
track. These blocks allow the recorder to
synchronize with the data on the CD and to
finish up interleaved data. Four run-in
blocks and two run-out blocks are written
for each packet.
S
scanner
A device that creates digital
images of printed documents and
photographs. Optical character recognition
(OCR) and photo manipulation programs
allow you to save and edit the images on
your computer. See digital .
screen saver
A moving picture or pattern
that appears on the screen when you stop
using your computer for a specified period
of time. Originally designed to protect the
monitor, screen savers are now used for
amusement.
scroll
To gradually move information
across the screen when a document or Web
page is too long or too wide to view all at
once. Scroll bars are located along the right
side and across the bottom of a window.
When scroll arrows are present at the ends
of the bars, you know that some
information is off the screen. Click one of