Toshiba Tecra 8000 Tecra 8000 Users Guide - Page 266

242 Glossary Direct Memory Access (DMA): A dedicated channel which bypasses the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and enables a device to access memory directly. If two devices use the same DMA channel, the data required by one device overwrites the data required by the other-this is one type of hardware conflict. To resolve the conflict, you must reassign one of the devices to a vacant DMA channel. directory: See folder. disable: To turn a computer option off. In a menu or dialog box, a disabled option appears dim (or "grayed out") and clicking it has no effect. See also enable. disk: A circular platter that can store computer information. In the case of the hard disk and removable disks, the platter is coated with a magnetic material and enclosed inside a protective case. The CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, however, is an optical, not a magnetic, storage medium. See also CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, removable disk. disk cache: A technique that speeds up processing. Each time your application receives data from a disk, a special program stores the data in a reserved area of memory (RAM). When the application next requests data, it looks for it first in the disk cache. Since reading from and writing to memory is quicker than using a disk drive, this can considerably improve system performance. disk drive: The device that reads and writes information and programs on a removable disk or hard disk. It rotates the disk at high speed past one or more read/write heads. display: A computer screen. The term refers to both the built-in liquid crystal display (LCD) and to an external monitor, which typically has a cathode ray tube (CRT). docking station: A unit which replicates the computer's ports and also provides additional expansion slots. See also port replicator. document: 1) A file containing a report, letter, user guide, etc. 2) In Windows 95 and Windows NT, any file that contains the information you are working on. See also file. Part III: Appendixes