Dell Dimension 3100C Owner's Manual - Page 122

www.dell.com | support.dell.com B U S S P E E D - The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information. B Y T E - The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits. C C - Celsius - A temperature measurement system where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water. C A C H E - A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device. The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations. L1 cache - Primary cache stored inside the processor. L2 cache - Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor architecture. C A R N E T - An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Also known as a merchandise passport. C D - compact disc - An optical form of storage media, typically used for audio and software programs. C D D R I V E - A drive that uses optical technology to read data from CDs. C D P L A Y E R - The software used to play music CDs. The CD player displays a window with buttons that you use to play a CD. CD -R - CD recordable - A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over. C D - R W - CD rewritable - A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and then erased and written over (rewritten). C D - R W D R I V E - A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once. C D - R W / D V D D R I V E - A drive, sometimes referred to as a combo drive, that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once. C L O C K S P E E D - The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast computer components that are connected to the system bus operate. C O A - Certificate of Authenticity - The Windows alpha-numeric code located on a sticker on your computer. You may need the COA to complete the operating system setup or reinstallation. Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID. C O N T R O L PA N E L - A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings, such as display settings. C O N T R O L L E R - A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and devices. C R I M M - continuity rambus in-line memory module - A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill unused RIMM slots. C U R S O R - The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard, touch pad, or mouse action will occur. It often is a blinking solid line, an underline character, or a small arrow. D D D R S D R A M - double-data-rate SDRAM - A type of SDRAM that doubles the data burst cycle, improving system performance. D E V I C E - Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, or keyboard that is installed in or connected to your computer. D E V I C E D R I V E R - See driver. D I N C O N N E C T O R - A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors. 122 Glossary