Dell D630 Manual

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memory address — A specific location where data is temporarily stored in RAM.
memory mapping — The process by which the computer assigns memory addresses to 
physical locations at start-up. Devices and software can then identify information that 
the processor can access.
memory module — A small circuit board containing memory chips, which connects to 
the system board.
MHz — megahertz — A measure of frequency that equals 1 million cycles per second. 
The speeds for computer processors, buses, and interfaces are often measured in MHz.
Mini PCI — A standard for integrated peripheral devices with an emphasis on 
communications such as modems and NICs. A Mini PCI card is a small external card 
that is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI expansion card.
Mini-Card — A small card designed for integrated peripherals, such as 
communication NICs. The Mini-Card is functionally equivalent to a standard PCI 
expansion card.
modem — A device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers 
over analog telephone lines. Three types of modems include: external, PC Card, and 
internal. You typically use your modem to connect to the Internet and exchange e-
mail.
module bay — See media bay.
MP — megapixel — A measure of image resolution used for digital cameras.
ms — millisecond — A measure of time that equals one thousandth of a second. 
Access times of storage devices are often measured in ms.
N
network adapter — A chip that provides network capabilities. A computer may 
include a network adapter on its system board, or it may contain a PC Card with an 
adapter on it. A network adapter is also referred to as a NIC (network interface 
controller).
NIC — See network adapter.
notification area — The section of the Windows taskbar that contains icons for 
providing quick access to programs and computer functions, such as the clock, volume 
control, and print status. Also referred to as system tray.
ns — nanosecond — A measure of time that equals one billionth of a second.
NVRAM — nonvolatile random access memory — A type of memory that stores data 
when the computer is turned off or loses its external power source. NVRAM is used for 
maintaining computer configuration information such as date, time, and other system  
						

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setup options that you can set.
O
optical drive — A drive that uses optical technology to read or write data from CDs, 
DVDs, or DVD+RWs. Example of optical drives include CD drives, DVD drives, CD-
RW drives, and CD-RW/DVD combo drives. 
P
parallel connector — An I/O port often used to connect a parallel printer to your 
computer. Also referred to as an LPT port.
partition — A physical storage area on a hard drive that is assigned to one or more 
logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can contain multiple 
logical drives.
PC Card — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems and 
network adapters are common types of PC Cards.
PCI — peripheral component interconnect — PCI is a local bus that supports 32-and 
64-bit data paths, providing a high-speed data path between the processor and devices 
such as video, drives, and networks.
PCI Express — A modification to the PCI interface that boosts the data transfer rate 
between the processor and the devices attached to it. PCI Express can transfer data at 
speeds from 250 MB/sec to 4 GB/sec. If the PCI Express chip set and the device are 
capable of different speeds, they will operate at the slower speed.
PCMCIA — Personal Computer Memory Card International Association — The 
organization that establishes standards for PC Cards.
PIO — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two 
devices through the processor as part of the data path.
pixel — A single point on a display screen. Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to 
create an image. A video resolution, such as 800 x 600, is expressed as the number of 
pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.
Plug-and-Play — The ability of the computer to automatically configure devices. Plug 
and Play provides automatic installation, configuration, and compatibility with 
existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices are Plug and Play 
compliant.
POST — power-on self-test — Diagnostics programs, loaded automatically by the 
BIOS, that perform basic tests on the major computer components, such as memory, 
hard drives, and video. If no problems are detected during POST, the computer  
						

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continues the start-up.
processor — A computer chip that interprets and executes program instructions. 
Sometimes the processor is referred to as the CPU (central processing unit).
PS/2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a PS/2-compatible 
keyboard, mouse, or keypad.
PXE — pre-boot execution environment — A WfM (Wired for Management) 
standard that allows networked computers that do not have an operating system to be 
configured and started remotely.
R
RAID — redundant array of independent disks — A method of providing data 
redundancy. Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0, RAID 1, 
RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 50.
RAM — random-access memory — The primary temporary storage area for program 
instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you shut down your 
computer.
readme file — A text file included with a software package or hardware product. 
Typically, readme files provide installation information and describe new product 
enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented.
read-only — Data and/or files you can view but cannot edit or delete. A file can have 
read-only status if:
• It resides on a physically write-protected floppy disk, CD, or DVD.
• It is located on a network in a directory and the system administrator has assigned 
rights only to specific individuals.
refresh rate — The frequency, measured in Hz, at which your screens horizontal lines 
are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency). The higher the 
refresh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye.
resolution — The sharpness and clarity of an image produced by a printer or displayed 
on a monitor. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.
RFI — radio frequency interference — Interference that is generated at typical radio 
frequencies, in the range of 10 kHz to 100,000 MHz. Radio frequencies are at the 
lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and are more likely to have 
interference than the higher frequency radiations, such as infrared and light.
ROM — read-only memory — Memory that stores data and programs that cannot be 
deleted or written to by the computer. ROM, unlike RAM, retains its contents after 
you shut down your computer. Some programs essential to the operation of your 
computer reside in ROM. 
						

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RPM — revolutions per minute — The number of rotations that occur per minute. 
Hard drive speed is often measured in rpm.
RTC — real time clock — Battery-powered clock on the system board that keeps the 
date and time after you shut down the computer.
RTCRST — real-time clock reset — A jumper on the system board of some computers 
that can often be used for troubleshooting problems.
S
SAS — serial attached SCSI — A faster, serial version of the SCSI interface (as 
opposed to the original SCSI parallel architecture).
SATA — serial ATA — A faster, serial version of the ATA (IDE) interface.
ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders, and the hard disk’s surface 
for errors. ScanDisk often runs when you restart the computer after it has stopped 
responding.
SCSI — small computer system interface — A high-speed interface used to connect 
devices to a computer, such as hard drives, CD drives, printers, and scanners. The 
SCSI can connect many devices using a single controller. Each device is accessed by an 
individual identification number on the SCSI controller bus.
SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory — A type of DRAM that is 
synchronized with the optimal clock speed of the processor.
serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect devices such as a handheld 
digital device or digital camera to your computer.
Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that identifies your computer when 
you access Dell Support at support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer service 
or technical support.
setup program — A program that is used to install and configure hardware and 
software. The setup.exe or install.exe program comes with most Windows software 
packages. Setup program differs from system setup.
shortcut — An icon that provides quick access to frequently used programs, files, 
folders, and drives. When you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and double-
click the icon, you can open its corresponding folder or file without having to find it 
first. Shortcut icons do not change the location of files. If you delete a shortcut, the 
original file is not affected. Also, you can rename a shortcut icon.
SIM — Subscriber Identity Module — A SIM card contains a microchip that encrypts 
voice and data transmissions. SIM cards can be used in phones or portable computers.
smart card — A card that is embedded with a processor and a memory chip. Smart 
cards can be used to authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart cards. 
						

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S/PDIF — Sony/Philips Digital Interface — An audio transfer file format that allows 
the transfer of audio from one file to another without converting it to and from an 
analog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.
standby mode — A power management mode that shuts down all unnecessary 
computer operations to save energy.
Strike Zone™ — Reinforced area of the platform base that protects the hard drive by 
acting as a dampening device when a computer experiences resonating shock or is 
dropped (whether the computer is on or off).
surge protectors — Prevent voltage spikes, such as those that may occur during an 
electrical storm, from entering the computer through the electrical outlet. Surge 
protectors do not protect against lightning strikes or against brownouts, which occur 
when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC-line voltage level.
Network connections cannot be protected by surge protectors. Always disconnect the 
network cable from the network connector during electrical storms.
SVGA — super-video graphics array — A video standard for video cards and 
controllers. Typical SVGA resolutions are 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768.
The number of colors and resolution that a program displays depends on the 
capabilities of the monitor, the video controller and its drivers, and the amount of 
video memory installed in the computer.
S-video TV-out — A connector used to attach a TV or digital audio device to the 
computer.
SXGA — super-extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and 
controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.
SXGA+ — super-extended graphics array plus — A video standard for video cards and 
controllers that supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050.
system board — The main circuit board in your computer. Also known as the 
motherboard.
system setup — A utility that serves as an interface between the computer hardware 
and the operating system. System setup allows you to configure user-selectable options 
in the BIOS, such as date and time or system password. Unless you understand what 
effect the settings have on the computer, do not change the settings for this program.
T
TA P I — telephony application programming interface — Enables Windows programs 
to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, and 
video.
text editor — A program used to create and edit files that contain only text; for  
						

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example, Windows Notepad uses a text editor. Text editors do not usually provide 
word wrap or formatting functionality (the option to underline, change fonts, and so 
on).
TPM — trusted platform module — A hardware-based security feature that when 
combined with security software enhances network and computer security by enabling 
features such as file and e-mail protection.
travel module — A plastic device designed to fit inside the module bay of a portable 
computer to reduce the weight of the computer.
U
UAC — user account control— Microsoft Windows Vista® security feature that, 
when enabled, provides an added layer of security between user accounts and access to 
operating system settings.
UMA — unified memory allocation — System memory dynamically allocated to 
video.
UPS — uninterruptible power supply — A backup power source used when the 
electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. A UPS keeps a 
computer running for a limited amount of time when there is no electrical power. UPS 
systems typically provide surge suppression and may also provide voltage regulation. 
Small UPS systems provide battery power for a few minutes to enable you to shut 
down your computer.
USB — universal serial bus — A hardware interface for a low-speed device such as a 
USB-compatible keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, set of speakers, printer, 
broadband devices (DSL and cable modems), imaging devices, or storage devices. 
Devices are plugged directly in to a 4-pin socket on your computer or in to a multi-port 
hub that plugs in to your computer. USB devices can be connected and disconnected 
while the computer is turned on, and they can also be daisy-chained together.
UTP — unshielded twisted pair — Describes a type of cable used in most telephone 
networks and some computer networks. Pairs of unshielded wires are twisted to protect 
against electromagnetic interference, rather than relying on a metal sheath around 
each pair of wires to protect against interference.
UXGA — ultra extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and 
controllers that supports resolutions up to 1600 x 1200.
V
video controller — The circuitry on a video card or on the system board (in computers 
with an integrated video controller) that provides the video capabilities—in  
						

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combination with the monitor—for your computer.
video memory — Memory that consists of memory chips dedicated to video functions. 
Video memory is usually faster than system memory. The amount of video memory 
installed primarily influences the number of colors that a program can display.
video mode — A mode that describes how text and graphics are displayed on a 
monitor. Graphics-based software, such as Windows operating systems, displays in 
video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y vertical pixels by z colors. 
Character-based software, such as text editors, displays in video modes that can be 
defined as x columns by y rows of characters.
video resolution — See resolution.
virus — A program that is designed to inconvenience you or to destroy data stored on 
your computer. A virus program moves from one computer to another through an 
infected disk, software downloaded from the Internet, or e-mail attachments. When 
an infected program starts, its embedded virus also starts.
A common type of virus is a boot virus, which is stored in the boot sectors of a floppy 
disk. If the floppy disk is left in the drive when the computer is shut down and then 
turned on, the computer is infected when it reads the boot sectors of the floppy disk 
expecting to find the operating system. If the computer is infected, the boot virus may 
replicate itself onto all the floppy disks that are read or written in that computer until 
the virus is eradicated.
V — volt — The measurement of electric potential or electromotive force. One V 
appears across a resistance of 1 ohm when a current of 1 ampere flows through that 
resistance.
W
W — watt — The measurement of electrical power. One W is 1 ampere of current 
flowing at 1 volt.
WHr — watt-hour — A unit of measure commonly used to indicate the approximate 
capacity of a battery. For example, a 66-WHr battery can supply 66 W of power for 1 
hour or 33 W for 2 hours.
wallpaper — The background pattern or picture on the Windows desktop. Change 
your wallpaper through the Windows Control Panel. You can also scan in your favorite 
picture and make it wallpaper.
WLAN — wireless local area network. A series of interconnected computers that 
communicate with each other over the air waves using access points or wireless routers 
to provide Internet access.
write-protected — Files or media that cannot be changed. Use write-protection when  
						

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you want to protect data from being changed or destroyed. To write-protect a 3.5-inch 
floppy disk, slide its write-protect tab to the open position.
WWAN — wireless wide area network. A wireless high-speed data network using 
cellular technology and covering a much larger geographic area than WLAN. 
WXGA — wide-aspect extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards 
and controllers that supports resolutions up to 1280 x 800.
X
XGA — extended graphics array — A video standard for video cards and controllers 
that supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768.
Z
ZIF — zero insertion force — A type of socket or connector that allows a computer 
chip to be installed or removed with no stress applied to either the chip or its socket.
Zip — A popular data compression format. Files that have been compressed with the 
Zip format are called Zip files and usually have a filename extension of .zip. A special 
kind of zipped file is a self-extracting file, which has a filename extension of .exe. You 
can unzip a self-extracting file by double-clicking it.
Zip drive — A high-capacity floppy drive developed by Iomega Corporation that uses 
3.5-inch removable disks called Zip disks. Zip disks are slightly larger than regular 
floppy disks, about twice as thick, and hold up to 100 MB of data.