User's Manual

244 Glossary
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FILE LOCATI ON: S:\SYSTEMS\Pebble\UG\A00\English\glossary.fm
DELL CONFI DENTI AL – PRELI MI NARY 1/29/03 – FOR PROOF ONLY
MEM ORY 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 microprocessor can access.
MEM ORY 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 microprocessors, buses, and interfaces are often
measured in MHz.
MI CROPROCESSOR — A computer chip that interprets and executes program
instructions. Sometimes the microprocessor is referred to as the processor or the
CPU (central processing unit).
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 — A bay that supports devices such as optical drives, a second
battery, or a Dell TravelLite™ module.
MONI TOR — The high-resolution TV-like device that displays computer output.
MOUSE — A pointing device that controls the movement of the cursor on your
screen. Typically you roll the mouse over a hard, flat surface to move the pointer or
cursor on your screen.
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).
NI C — See network adapter.
NOTI FI CATION 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 setup options that you can set.