User's Manual

device driver — See driver.
DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used
to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse cable connectors.
disk striping — A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives. Disk striping can speed up operations that retrieve
data from disk storage. Computers that use disk striping generally allow the user to select the data unit size or stripe width.
DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the
microprocessor.
docking device — See APR.
DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop management
standards for distributed desktop, network, enterprise, and Internet environments.
domain — A group of computers, programs, and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and
procedures for use by a specific group of users. A user logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources.
DRAM — dynamic random-access memory — Memory that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors.
driver — Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a printer. Many devices do not work properly
if the correct driver is not installed in the computer.
DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology that provides a constant, high-speed Internet connection through an analog
telephone line.
dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also
referred to as extended display mode.
DVD — digital versatile disc — A disc usually used to store movies. DVDs are double-sided, whereas CDs are single-sided.
DVD drives read most CD media as well.
DVD drive — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from DVDs and CDs.
DVD player — The software used to watch DVD movies. The DVD player displays a window with buttons that you use to
watch a movie.
DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be written to a DVD+RW disc, and then erased and
written over (rewritten). (DVD+RW technology is different from DVD-RW technology.)
DVD+RW drive — A drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD+RW (rewritable DVDs) discs.
DVI — digital video interface — A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital video display; the DVI
adapter works through the computer's integrated graphics.
E
ECC — error checking and correction — A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data as it
passes in and out of memory.
ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel connector design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission.
Similar to EPP, ECP uses direct memory access to transfer data and often improves performance.
EIDE — enhanced integrated device electronics — An improved version of the IDE interface for hard drives and CD drives.
EMI — electromagnetic interference — Electrical interference caused by electromagnetic radiation.
ENERGY STAR® — Environmental Protection Agency requirements that decrease the overall consumption of electricity.
EPP — enhanced parallel port — A parallel connector design that provides bidirectional data transmission.
ESD — electrostatic discharge — A rapid discharge of static electricity. ESD can damage integrated circuits found in computer
and communications equipment.
expansion card — A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system board in some computers, expanding the
capabilities of the computer. Examples include video, modem, and sound cards.
expansion slot — A connector on the system board (in some computers) where you insert an expansion card, connecting it