Power-on diagnostics
A set of testing routines the computer performs automatically each
time you turn it on.
Program
A file that contains coded instructions telling the computer what to do
and how to do it.
Prompt
A message on the screen that requests information or tells you the
action you need to perform next
See also Command prompt.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The portion of the computer’s memory that
runs programs and temporarily stores data while you work. All data
stored in RAM is temporarily maintained while the computer is in
Suspend mode, but erased when you turn off the computer. You must
save any data you want to keep on a diskette or hard disk. See also
ROM
Read
To copy data from one area to another. For example, when you open a
text file stored on disk, the computer reads the data from the disk and
displays it on the screen.
Read/write head
The physical device inside a disk drive that reads and records data on
the magnetic surface of a disk.
Real-time clock
A battery-powered clock in the computer that keeps track of the
current time and date even when the computer’s power is off.
Glossary 11
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