Compatibility Guide

182 Glossary
VGA
Abbreviation for video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video standards for
video adapters with greater resolution and color display capabilities than previous
standards. To display a program at a specific resolution, you must install the
appropriate video drivers and your monitor must support the resolution. Similarly,
the number of colors that a program can display depends on the capabilities of
the monitor, the video driver, and the amount of video memory installed for the
video adapter.
VGA feature connector
On some systems with a built-in VGA video adapter, a VGA feature connector
allows you to add an enhancement adapter, such as a video accelerator, to your
system. A VGA feature connector can also be called a VGA pass-through
connector.
video adapter
The logical circuitry that provides—in combination with the monitor—your
system's video capabilities. A video adapter may support more or fewer features
than a specific monitor offers. Typically, a video adapter comes with video drivers
for displaying popular application programs and operating systems in a variety of
video modes.
On some systems, a video adapter is integrated into the system board. Also
available are many video adapter cards that plug into an expansion-card
connector.
Video adapters often include memory separate from RAM on the system board.
The amount of video memory, along with the adapter's video drivers, may affect
the number of colors that can be simultaneously displayed. Video adapters can
also include their own coprocessor for faster graphics rendering.
video driver
A program that allows graphics-mode application programs and operating systems
to display at a chosen resolution with the desired number of colors. A software
package may include some "generic" video drivers. Any additional video drivers
may need to match the video adapter installed in the system.
video memory
Most VGA and SVGA video adapters include memory chips in addition to your
system's RAM. The amount of video memory installed primarily influences the
number of colors that a program can display (with the appropriate video drivers
and monitor capabilities).