Dell Precision 610 Dell Precision WorkStation 610 Mini Tower Systems User's Gu - Page 204

As it relates to DMI, an attribute is a piece of information related to a component. Attributes can be combined to form groups. If an attribute is defined as read-write, it may be defined by a management application. The autoexec.bat file (Windows 95 and MS-DOS only) is executed when you boot your computer (after executing any commands in the config.sys file). This start-up file contains commands that define the characteristics of each device connected to your computer, and it finds and executes programs stored in locations other than the active directory. Abbreviation for bulletin board service. A computer system that serves as a central location for accessing data or relaying messages by modem. For example, Dell's TechConnect BBS contains the latest version of software, such as video drivers. If your system has a modem, you can access the BBS and download the most recent version of this software. A diagnostic message in the form of a pattern of beeps from your computer's speaker. For example, one beep, followed by a second beep, and then a burst of three beeps is beep code 1-1-3. A copy of a program or data file. As a precaution, you should back up your computer's hard-disk drive on a regular basis. Before making a change to the configuration of your computer, you should back up important start-up files from your operating system. The backup battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when the system is turned off. Synonym for conventional memory. See also conventional memory. A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to represent information. The computer performs operations based on the ordering and calculation of these numbers. Acronym for basic input/output system. Your computer's BIOS contains programs stored on a flash memory chip. The BIOS controls the following: Communications between the processor and peripheral devices, such as the keyboard and the video adapter Miscellaneous functions, such as system messages An ASCII text file containing a list of commands that run in sequence. Instead of typing each command, you need only type the batch filename. The system executes the commands as if you had typed each one individually. Both files must have a filename extension of bat. A measurement of data transmission speed. For example, modems are designed to transmit data at one or more specified baud rate(s) through the COM (serial) port of a computer. The smallest unit of information interpreted by your computer. When you start your computer, it clears all memory, initializes devices, and loads the operating system. Unless the operating system fails to respond, you can reboot (also called warm boot) your computer by pressing ; otherwise, you must perform a cold boot by pressing the reset button or by turning the computer off and then back on. 2 Dell Precision 610 Mini Tower Systems User's Guide