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SECTION 3
Operating System
A group of control programs that convert application commands, including driver programs, into the
exact form required by a specific brand and model of microprocessor in order to produce the desired
results from that particular equipment.
Parallel Port
A connection to another device through which data is transferred as a block of bits simultaneously
with a wire for each bit in the block and with other wires only for control of the device not for transfer
of data.
Partition
A block of space on a hard drive which is set aside and made to appear to the operating system as if
it were a separate disk, and addressed by the operating system accordingly.
PCMCIA
PCMCIA is trademark of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association is an organization that sets standards for add-in
cards for personal computers.
Peripheral Device
A piece or equipment which performs a specific function associated with but not integral to a computer.
Examples: a printer, a mode, a CD-ROM.
Pitch (keyboard)
The distance between the centers of the letter keys of a keyboard.
Pixel
The smallest element of a display, a dot of color on your display screen. The more pixels screen. The
more pixels per area the clearer your image will appear.
POST
Power On Self Test. A program which part of the BIOS which checks the configuration and operating
condition of your hardware whenever power is applied to your notebook. Status and error messages
may be displayed before the operating system is loaded. If the self test detects failures that are so
serious that operation can not continue, the operating system will not be loaded.
PPPoE
Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet
A protocol for Ethernet, using a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), which is used for connection on the
phone line.
Program
An integrated set of coded commands to your computers telling your hardware what to do and how
and when to do it.
LB04_Brie (103-112)
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