Glossary
195
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
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.
book.book Page 195 Monday, April 14, 2008 4:23 PM
Summary of Contents for XPS M1730
Page 1: ...w w w d e l l c o m s u p p o r t d e l l c o m Dell XPS M1730 Owner s Manual Model PP06XA ...
Page 12: ...12 Contents ...
Page 18: ...18 Finding Information ...
Page 19: ...About Your Computer 19 About Your Computer Front View 1 13 2 4 8 7 10 5 9 3 11 14 12 6 15 ...
Page 46: ...46 Using the Keyboard ...
Page 54: ...54 Using a Battery ...
Page 102: ...102 Setting Up and Using Networks ...
Page 148: ...148 Troubleshooting ...
Page 162: ...162 Adding and Replacing Parts ...
Page 184: ...184 Appendix ...
Page 208: ...208 Index ...