1394
1394, or Firewire, is USB's high-speed counterpart and enables PC connection of high speed peripheral devices, including digital video cameras and VCRs. Strongly backed by major industry players and a standard for Microsoft's PC97 specification, P1394/Firewire will play an integral role in the next generation PC architecture. 1394 Trade Association http://www.1394ta.org/3-D Graphics
3-dimensional images can bog down the main processor so a video card with 4 or 8 MB of SGRAM (like the ATI Rage Pro) speeds these images up dramatically. These cards will allow you to experience 3-D games and view MPEG-2 encoded DVD-ROM movies at full speed.56k Capable Modem
The 56k modem is currently the state of the art connection to the Internet via standard phone lines. However, due to FCC regulations and phone line "noise" or interference, 56kbps connections are not possible yet. Common maximum connections speeds with a 56k modem are approximately 48k. (See v.90 below)Active Matrix Display
Laptop display screen using (Thin Film Transistors) TFT transistors to individually activate each LCD pixel. By controlling the light passage through each pixel, this display type offers a permanent, well-contrasted and fast display, compared to other LCD displays. In fact the image is even better than with CRTs (desktop monitors), because the image is permanent instead of being refreshed continuously. TFT displays are brighter than passive matrix (dual scan) displays and don't show "ghosting" or "trails" from of a moving cursor.ACPI
Advanced Configuration Power Interface is a Microsoft initiative to standardize power management features and bring notebook-quality power management capability to desktops. ACPI is an interface to the system board that allows the operating system to manage the power states of the computer and its motherboard devices. ACPI enables OnNow technology that allows PCs to "sleep" upon shut down so that they can be restarted without a reboot.AGP
The Accelerated Graphics Port is a dedicated bus for graphics cards that enables high performance 3D graphics capabilities on PCs. AGP bypasses the PCI bus and directly pipelines between the main memory and graphics controller. Accelerated Graphics Port Implementers Forum http://agpforum.org/index.htmATA
Advanced Technology Attachment, also known as Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), is a standard electronic interface used between a computer motherboard's bus and the computer's disk storage devices. With IDE, the disk drive controller is built into the logic board in the disk drive.BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is a program located on a read only memory chip on the mainboard. Frequently referred to as the 'boot program' the main function of the BIOS is to manage the mainboard and interface parameters, including simple parameters such as time, date, hard disk drive, as well as more complex parameters such as hardware synchronization, device operating modes, CPU and memory setup.When the computer is switched on, it is controlled by the BIOS program. Initiating an auto-diagnostic for all necessary hardware, configures the hardware synchronization and detects all the hardware. Only when all these tasks are completed will the BIOS give up control of the computer to the Operating System.
Do not modify BIOS settings unless you know what you are doing, incorrect BIOS settings will cause system instability and may even cause the computer to not to boot.
Buffer
A buffer is similar to disc or ram cache. It is the computer's 'waiting room', where different hardware temporarily store data without interfering with or delaying each other. The buffer assists in coordinating the independent activities of different processes.Bus Master
The bus master directs data on the computer bus or input/output paths and controls the bus paths on which the address and control signals flow. Once the paths are defined, the flow of data travels directly between the I/O device and the microprocessor.Cache
Cache Memory is small but very fast memory used to store frequently used Data or instructions. It tries to "guess" what data is going to be needed next by the Processor. (See L1 & L2 Cache)CMOS
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor is the name for the technology used in most transistors. CMOS Semiconductors contain both negative charge conductors (N-type transistors) and positive charge carriers (P-type transistors). This combination forms a current gate that provides an effective means of electrical control. When not in use, the transistors use almost no power.Cookies
Cookies are a general mechanism which server side connections (such as CGI scripts) can use to both store and retrieve information on the client side of the connection. The addition of a simple, persistent, client-side state significantly extends the capabilities of Web-based client/server applications.
A server, when returning an HTTP object to a client, may also send a piece of state information which the client will store. Included in that state object is a description of the range of URLs for which that state is valid. Any future HTTP requests made by the client which fall in that range will include a transmittal of the current value of the state object from the client back to the server. The state object is called a cookie, for no compelling reason.This simple mechanism provides a powerful tool which enables a host of new types of applications to be written for web-based environments. Shopping applications can now store information about the currently selected items, for fee services can send back registration information and free the client from retyping a user-id on next connection, sites can store per-user preferences on the client, and have the client supply those preferences every time that site is connected to.
CRC
Cyclic Redundancy Checking is a method of checking for errors in data transmitted on a communications link. A sending device applies a 16- or 32-bit polynomial to a block of data that is to be transmitted and attaches the resulting cyclic redundancy code (CRC) to the block. The receiving end applies the same polynomial to the data and compares its result with the result appended by the sender. If they agree, the data has been received successfully. If not, the sender can be notified to resend the block of data.DDR SDRAM
Double Data Rate SDRAM doubles the clock frequency rate, thereby doubling the transfer speed. This ultra fast DRAM enables bus speeds beyond 100 MHz, fulfilling the needs of the upcoming generation of memory and graphic intensive PC systems.DRAM
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is the most common kind of random access memory for personal computers and workstations. DRAM is dynamic in that, unlike static RAM (SRAM), it needs to have its storage cells refreshed or given a new electronic charge every few milliseconds. DRAM stores each bit in a storage cell consisting of a capacitor and a transistor.Driver
A driver program interacts with a particular hardware device or software program. The driver provides the information about the device or software interface that programs using the driver do not have.Dual Scan Display or DSTN(Double-layer Supertwist Nematic)
This is a form of passive matrix LCD screen. It is an improved version of the standard supertwist nematic passive matrix LCD screen where the display is divided into two sections and addressed separately to deal with slow switching speeds that result in poor visibility. Dual scan displays are not as bright as active matrix (TFT) displays and can be difficult to view from an extreme angle.DVD-ROM
Digital versatile disk. Similar in appearance to CD-ROM but much higher capacity. Each DVD disk can hold up to 17 GB of data. That's approximately 4 hours of video or 9 hours of audio. Video files compressed in the MPEG-2 scheme are very sharp and clear. DVD-ROM drives accept both DVD disks and CD-ROM disks so there is no need for 2 separate drives.ECC
Error Correction Code allows data that is being read or transmitted to be checked for single bit memory errors and, when necessary, corrected "on the fly." ECC is increasingly being designed into data storage and transmission hardware as data rates (and therefore error rates) increase.EDO RAM
Extended data output RAM is a chip that improves the time to read from memory on faster microprocessors such as the Intel Pentium. EDO RAM is optimized for the 66 MHz PentiumEIDE
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics is a standard electronic interface between the computer and its mass storage drives. EIDE enhances Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), making it possible to address a hard disk larger than 528 Mbytes. EIDE provides faster access to the hard drive, support for Direct Memory Access (DMA), and support for additional drives, including CD-ROM and tape devices through the AT Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI).Flash Memory
Flash memory is a constantly charged memory in which each bit of data is stored in a cell or transistor as one of two voltage levels. Flash memory is used to hold control code such as the BIOS in a personal computer. Flash memory is an alternative to erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).Infrared
Technology that uses infrared light to wirelessly connect computers to peripherals, LANs and other computers, allowing for bi-directional data exchange at lengths of up to one meter and speeds of up to 4 Mbps. Infrared data transfer is handy for those with 2 systems to synchronize or to update files.IRQ
Interrupt Request values are specified for the computer when attaching a new device. The interrupt request value assigns a location where the computer can expect a new device to interrupt it when the device sends the computer signals about its operation. Because multiple signals to the computer on the same interrupt line might not be understood by the computer, a unique value must be specified for each device and its path to the computer.ISA
ISA is a standard bus architecture that allows 16 bits at a time to flow between the motherboard circuitry, an expansion slot card and its associated devices.KBC
Keyboard Controller is the integrated logic in VIA chipsets that handles serial communications with the keyboard and mouse.L1 Cache
(primary) Cache. A small cache which can be accessed extremely quickly where the processor stores its most often used data. This is located on the processor.L2 Cache
L2 Cache is a high-speed memory that supplies the CPU with the most frequently requested instructions and data. Instructions and data located in the L2 cache can be accessed many times faster than instructions and data located in main memory (DRAM). The more instructions and data the CPU can access directly from the L2 cache, the faster the computer runs.Lithium Ion
A rechargeable battery technology that provides more than twice the charge per pound than Nickel Metal Hydride and allows random recharges without a "memory effect". Lithium batteries are lighter than nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and accept more recharge cycles for a longer life.MMX
Multimedia Extensions. An enhancement in processor architecture that improves multimedia and communications. This technology processes multiple data elements in parallel, speeding up such things as image processing, motion video, speech synthesis, telephony, and 3D graphics.Nickel Metal Hydride
NiMH. A rechargeable battery technology that offers more charge per pound than Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) and allows random recharges without a "memory effect" .PC98
PC98 is a System Design Guide for mobile PCs, business and consumer PCs, entertainment PCs, and workstations. Led by Intel®; and Microsoft®, the PC98 aims to promote innovation and interoperability within the computer industry and covers the move from ISA to USB, the shift from analog to digital audio, and the establishing of a graphics standard.PC100
PC100 is the industry standard for PC architecture capable of running at 100MHz bus speeds.PC133
PC133 is the industry standard for PC architecture capable of running at 133MHz bus speeds.PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect bus. PCI is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high-speed operation. PCI is designed to be independent of microprocessor design, but synchronized with the clock speed of the microprocessor. It uses all active paths to transmit both address and data signals, sending the address on one clock cycle and data on the next. Burst data can be sent starting with an address on the first cycle and a sequence of data transmissions on a certain number of successive cycles.PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association - an expansion Bus designed for Laptops which allow modems & other devices to be connected to the PC.You will usually find two slots on newer models. Two small slots can hold two Type I or II cards. Type I or II cards are usually modems or network cards, but can also be sound cards, SCSI adapters, and any other interface you can imagine.
Pipeline Burst Cache
Secondary synchronous SRAM cache with speeds as fast as 9ns. It uses "burst" data transfers rather than a steady stream in order to take advantage of the faster bus cycles and CPU's available on today's systems. Data is moved through the SRAM core in an assembly line fashion -- as if going through a "pipe".RAM
Random Access Memory is a temporary storage area which the processor uses to execute programs and hold data. Information is put into RAM and held there until needed. Once the RAM becomes full, information has to be removed to make space for the current task being performed. A PC with limited RAM can take a long time to perform a simple task as the information in the RAM is constantly being replaced. RAM requires a constant electric supply to keep the information intact. Should you switch off the PC then you will lose the contents of RAM forever. Additional RAM benefits nearly all users by allowing faster functions and multiple programs to be open at once. (See EDO, SDRAM & DRAM)RTC
Real Time Clock is the integrated logic in VIA chipsets that handles time keeping functions. It also includes "CMOS" memory for saving system settings while the system is powered down.SDRAM
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory is a new form of DRAM that can be coordinated or synchronized to the clock speed of the computer.SIMD
Single Instruction, Multiple Data is a method of efficiently processing data. A single instruction is applied to multiple pieces of data simultaneously rather than to each piece of data individually. Repetitive tasks are effectively consolidated into a single one, greatly increasing the speed of data processing. With SIMD, multimedia programs produce the full visual-intense and audio-intense results for which they are designed.Superscalar Processor
Superscalar processors change the way that system instructions are scheduled and executed. Pipelined processors run multiple instructions by overlapping them during execution. Superscalar processors, on the other hand, execute multiple instructions out of order by both running instructions simultaneously and overlapping them during execution. By concurrently executing scalar instructions, the overall performance and speed is significantly raised as the time used to execute blocks of code is reduced.SVGA
Super Video Graphics Array Video Adapter. An SVGA Monitor can display up to 800 x 600 pixels using over 16 million different colors.System Management Bus
The System Management Bus controls the regulation of power between the mainboard and the battery. The SMBus provides multiple master support and allows bi-directional communication between mainboard devices, managing the power requirements of the mainboard devices as the battery runs down. SMBus is supported by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).TFT
Thin Film Transistor. Used in active matrix displays to drive individual pixels using a type of silicon. See Active-Matrix.Ultra DMA
Ultra DMA 33 is a protocol for transferring data from a hard disk drive to RAM through the computer's data bus. The Ultra DMA 33 protocol transfers data in burst mode at a rate of 33.3 MBps (megabytes per second), twice as fast as the previous Direct Memory Access (DMA) interface. The protocol speeds up booting time and improves the performance of applications that require access to data on the hard drive. Ultra DMA uses Cyclical Redundancy Checking (CRC), offering a new level of data protection.USB
Universal System Bus is a 12MB/sec "plug-and-play" interface that consolidates the present serial port configuration on the back of the PC into a single port from which up to 127 peripheral devices can be daisy chain connected. With USB, a new device can be added to a computer without having to add an adapter card or even turn the computer off. USB supports joysticks, printers, monitors, and telephony. Universal Serial Bus Home PageVGA
Video Graphics Array Video. Adapter introduced by IBM in 1987. A VGA Monitor can display 640 X 480 pixels using 16 different colors or 320 X 200 pixels using 256 colors. These colors can be chosen from a table of up to 262,144 colors.XGA
A high-resolution notebook screen that can display 1024 x 768 pixels.
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