Glossary A+ 200-701 702.txt

A wireless standard that operates at 5GHz and provides wireless speeds up to 54Mbps.

A wireless standard that operates at 2.4GHz and provides wireless speeds up to 11Mbps.

A wireless standard that operates at 2.4GHz, is backward compatible with 802.11b, and provides data transmission of up to 54Mbps.

An IEEE standard that defines a physical bus topology network that uses a 50-ohm coaxial baseband cable and carries transmissions at a minimum of 10Mbps. (The current standard supports speeds up to 10Gbps.) This standard group's data bits into frames and uses the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) cable access method to put data on the cable. Ethernet is a common implementation of IEEE 802.3.

An IEEE standard that specifies a physical star, logical ring topology that uses a token-passing technology to put the data on a network cable. IBM's Token Ring is the most common implementation of IEEE 802.5.

An Ethernet standard that operates at 100 Mbps and uses STP cabling. Also called Fast Ethernet. Variations of 100BaseT are 100BaseTX and 100BaseFX.

An Ethernet standard that operates at 10 Mbps and uses small coaxial cable up to 200 meters long. Also called ThinNet.

An Ethernet standard that operates at 10 Mbps and uses thick coaxial cable up to 500 meters long. Also called ThickNet.

A protected processing mode used by Windows NT/2000/XP to process programs written in 32-bit code early in the boot process.

An IDE cable that has 40 pins but uses 80 wires, 40 of which are ground wires designed to reduce crosstalk on the cable. The cable is used by ATA/66, ATA/100, and ATA/133 IDE drives.

The 5-4-3 represents the creation of a single collision domain, and the numbers are maximums: (5-) no more than five segments between any two nodes that communicate with each other, (-4-) no more than four repeaters in those five segments, and (-3) no more than three of the five segments can have active devices (clients or servers).

The set of rules that determines which traffic gets through a firewall and which traffic is blocked.

A device connected to a LAN that provides wireless communication so that computers, printers, and other wireless devices can communicate with devices on the LAN.

Specification developed by Intel, Compaq, Phoenix, Microsoft, and Toshiba to control power on notebooks and other devices. Windows 98 and Windows 2000/XP support ACPI.

A type of backplane system in which there is some circuitry, including bus connectors, buffers, and driver circuits, on the backplane.

A Windows 2000 and Windows .NET directory database service that allows for a single point of administration for all shared resources on a network, including files, peripheral devices, databases, Web sites, users, and services.

A type of hub that uses electronics to amplify and clean up the signal before it is retransmitted to the other ports.

A type of video display that amplifies the signal at every intersection in the grid of electrodes, which enhances the pixel quality over that of a dual-scan passive matrix display.

The primary partition on the hard drive that boots the OS. Windows NT/2000/XP calls the active partition the system partition.

A type of terminator for single-ended SCSI cables that includes voltage regulators in addition to the simple resistors used with passive termination.

A small circuit board inserted in an expansion slot and used to communicate between the system bus and a peripheral device. Also called an interface card.

A popular device driver that enables operating systems to communicate with a SCSI host adapter. (The "A" originally stood for Adaptec.)

A type of L2 cache contained within the Pentium processor housing that is embedded on the same core processor die as the CPU itself.

Involves an attacker gaining access to a host in the network by injecting traffic onto the network in order to obtain data that would otherwise be unavailable.

A TCP/IP protocol used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.

Current that cycles back and forth rather than traveling in only one direction. In the United States, the AC voltage from a standard wall outlet is normally between 110 and 115 V. In Europe, the standard AC voltage from a wall outlet is 220 V.

A unit of measurement for electrical current. One volt across a resistance of one ohm will produce a flow of one amp.

A Repeater That Does Not Distinguish Between Noise And Signal; It Amplifies Both.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to creating trade and communications standards.

A text file that contains information that Windows NT/2000/XP requires in order to do an unattended installation.

A request from software to the OS to access hardware or other software using a previously defined procedure that both the software and the OS understand.

A protocol that TCP/IP uses to translate IP addresses into physical network addresses (MAC addresses).

A popular standard for writing letters and other characters in binary code. Originally, ASCII characters were seven bits, so there were 127 possible values. ASCII has been expanded to an 8-bit version, allowing 128 additional values.

Static RAM that does not work in step with the CPU clock and is, therefore, slower than synchronous SRAM.

A form factor, generally no longer produced, in which the motherboard requires a full-size case. Because of their dimensions and configuration, AT systems are difficult to install, service, and upgrade. Also called full AT.

An interface standard, part of the IDE/ATA standards, that allows tape drives, CD-ROM drives, and other drives to be treated like an IDE hard drive by the system.

Signal degeneration over distance. Attenuation is solved on a network by adding repeaters to the network.

Any collection of data that is removed from the system because it's no longer needed on a regular basis.

An attribute of the file that is cleared during backup. Windows Backup works by looking at the archive bit.

The 12-pin power connector found on older motherboards that receives the P8/P9 pair of 6-conductor connectors from the power supply.

An installation where a user is required to provide answers to options during the installation process.

The most common form factor for PC systems presently in use, originally introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and resources than did the AT form factor.

The 20-pin power connector found on ATX motherboards to which ATX power supplies connect. These connectors have been replaced by the 24-pin ATX12V connector.

A feature on newer system BIOS and hard drives that automatically identifies and configures a new drive in the CMOS setup.

A startup text file once used by DOS and used by Windows to provide backward-compatibility. It executes commands automatically during the boot process and is used to create a16-bit environment.

The Windows XP process that allows you to restore an entire hard drive volume or logical drive to its state at the time the backup of the volume was made.

Files that hold information about a resource's access by users.

A process that proves that a user or system is actually who they say they are.

A TCP/IP standard used to automatically configure IP-based hosts that are unable to reach a DHCP server.

An improved and more flexible version of the AT form factor. Baby AT was the industry standard from approximately 1993 to 1997 and can fit into some ATX cases.

The bus between the CPU and the L2 cache inside the CPU housing. When present the bus between the Northbridge and the cache controller. Often implemented in SECCs and multicavity modules (MCMs), where the CPU and L2 cache are collocated.

A form factor in which there is no true motherboard. Instead, motherboard components are included on an adapter card plugged into a slot on a board called the backplane.

The ISDN channel that carries 64Kbps of data; also known as a bearer channel.

An opening left in a program application (usually by the developer) that allows additional access to data. Typically, these are created for debugging purposes and aren't documented. Before the product ships, the back doors are closed; when they aren't closed, security loopholes exist.

A small fluorescent lamp placed behind or below an LCD display to provide light.

An ISDN line with two B channels. Each channel can be used separately for voice and/or data transmissions.

In relation to analog communication, the range of frequencies that a communications channel or cable can carry. In general use, the term refers to the volume of data that can travel on a bus or over a cable stated in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). Also called data throughput or line speed. In communications, the difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies available for transmission in any given range. In networking, the transmission capacity of a computer or a communications channel stated in megabits or megabytes per second; the higher the number, the faster the data transmission takes place.

An area on the motherboard that contains slots for memory modules (typically labeled bank 0, 1, 2, and 3).

The level of performance expected from a system, which can be compared to current measurements to determine what needs upgrading or tuning.

A way to partition a hard drive, used by DOS and all versions of Windows, that stores information about the drive in a partition table at the beginning of the drive. Compare to dynamic disk.

A text file containing a series of OS commands. Autoexec.bat is a batch file.

A measure of line speed between two devices such as a computer and a printer or a modem. This speed is measured in the number of times a signal changes in one second. See also bits per second (bps).

Detects the initial presence of a laser printer's laser beam by reflecting the beam to an optical fiber.

A series of beeps from the computer's speaker that indicate a problem. The number, duration, and pattern of the beeps can sometimes tell you what component is causing the problem.

The process by which a protocol is associated with a network card or a modem card.

Firmware that can control much of a computer's input/ output functions, such as communication with the floppy drive and the monitor. Also called ROM BIOS. The firmware embedded in a ROM chip that is responsible for running POST, booting the system, and presenting an interface for its own configuration.

Pieces of metal or plastic that come with the case and cover the expansion slot openings to help keep dust and other matter from the inside of the computer.

A measure of data transmission speed. For example, a common modem speed is 56,000 bps, or 56 Kbps.

The science of identifying a person by using one or more of their features. The feature can be a thumbprint, a retina scan, or any other biological trait.

A method of data transfer between hard drive and memory that allows multiple data transfers on a single software interrupt.

A condition that occurs when Windows encounters a critical error from which it cannot recover and is followed by a dump of physical memory. The name comes from the fact that the error screen is blue and you have no choice but to attempt to reboot the computer.

A standard for wireless communication and data synchronization between devices, developed by a group of electronics manufacturers and overseen by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Bluetooth uses the same frequency range as 802.11b, but does not have as wide a range. A popular standard for wireless communication that operates in the 2.4GHz range. The current Bluetooth standard is Version 2.1, which can support data transmissions of up to 3Mbps. The most common type of Bluetooth device (Class 2) has a transmission range of 10 meters (30 feet) and consumes 2.5 mW of power.

A connector used with thin coaxial cable. Some BNC connectors are T-shaped and called T-connectors. One end of the T connects to the NIC, and the two other ends can connect to cables or end a bus formation with a terminator.

A startup menu that gives the user the choice of which operating system to load such as Windows 98 or Windows 2000 which are both installed on the same system, creating a dual boot.

The hard drive partition where the Windows NT/2000/XP OS is stored. The system partition and the boot partition may be different partitions.

The first sector of a floppy disk or logical drive in a partition; it contains information about the disk or logical drive. On a hard drive, if the boot record is in the active partition, then it is used to boot the OS. Also called boot sector.

An infectious program that can replace the boot program with a modified, infected version of the boot command utilities, often causing boot and data retrieval problems.

A Windows NT/2000/XP hidden text file that contains information needed to build the boot loader menu.

Combining two bearer channels into one 128Kbps data or voice connection to maximize throughput.

Logs all boot information to a file called ntbtlog.txt. You can then check the log for assistance in diagnosing system startup problems.

For DOS and Windows, a floppy disk that can upload the OS files necessary for computer startup. For DOS or Windows 9x, it must contain the files Io.sys, Msdos.sys, and Command.com.

A small program at the end of the boot record that can be used to boot an OS from the disk or logical drive.

A device used to connect two or more network segments. It can make decisions about allowing a packet to pass based on the packet's destination MAC address. A type of connectivity device that operates in the Data Link layer of the OSI model. Similar to a switch.

A transmission technique that carries more than one type of transmission on the same medium, such as cable modem or DSL. The general designation for higher-speed Internet connections.

Process by which a message is sent from a single host to all hosts on the network, without regard to the kind of data being sent or the destination of the data. To send a signal to all entities that can listen to it. In networking, it refers to sending a signal to all entities connected to that network.

A device that functions as both a bridge and a router. A brouter acts as a router when handling packets using routable protocols such as TCP/IP and IPX/SPX. It acts as a bridge when handling packets using non-routable protocols such as NetBEUI.

Temporary reductions in voltage, which can sometimes cause data loss.

A type of attack that relies purely on trial and error.

A temporary memory area where data is kept before being written to a hard drive or sent to a printer, thus reducing the number of writes to the devices.

A type of sprayed-ink printer. It uses an electric signal that energizes a heating or vibrating element, causing ink to vaporize and be pushed out of the pinhole and onto the paper. Also see inkjet printer.

A refined version of EDO memory that significantly improved access time over EDO. BEDO was not widely used because Intel chose not to support it. BEDO memory is stored on 168-pin DIMM modules.

Memory that is more expensive and slightly faster than pipelined burst SRAM. Data is sent in a two-step process; the data address is sent, and then the data itself is sent without interruption.

The paths, or lines, on the motherboard on which data, instructions, and electrical power move from component to component. A parallel set of communications lines that act as a cohesive unit and optionally have multiple arbitrary insertion points.

The speed, or frequency, at which the data on the motherboard is moving.

A LAN architecture in which all the devices are connected to a bus, or one communication line. Bus topology does not have a central connection point.

A file with a .cab extension that contains one or more compressed files and is often used to distribute software on disk. The Extract command is used to extract files from the cabinet file.

Internet access across a common cable television service.

A device used to obtain broadband Internet access through a cable television provider. A technology that uses cable TV lines for data transmission requiring a modem at each end. From the modem, a network cable connects to a NIC in the user's PC.

One of two or three levels of fast silicon memory of limited size most often forged from static RAM and positioned between the CPU and RAM.

The process by which a device such as a printer (or a scanner) is brought within functional specifications.

The thickness measurement of a given sheet of paper, which can affect a printer's feed mechanism.

The printer belt placed around two small wheels or pulleys and attached to the print head carriage. The carriage belt is driven by the carriage motor and moves the print head back and forth across the page during printing.

A stepper motor used to move the print head back and forth on a dot-matrix printer.

The printer motor that makes the print head carriage move.

An electronic device that can maintain an electrical charge for a period of time and is used to smooth out the flow of electrical current. Capacitors are often found in computer power supplies.

The latest PCMCIA specification. It improves I/O speed, increases the bus width to 32 bits, and supports lower-voltage PC Cards, while maintaining backward compatibility with earlier standards.

Adapter boards or interface cards placed into expansion slots to expand the functions of a computer, allowing it to communicate with external devices such as monitors or speakers.

A signal used to activate a phone line to confirm a continuous frequency; used to indicate that two computers are ready to receive or transmit data via modems.

A feature of memory that reflects the number of clock cycles that pass while data is written to memory.

A command given at the command prompt that changes the default directory, for example CD \Windows.

A group of clusters used to hold a single file.

A method of error checking transmitted data, whereby the digits are added and their sum compared to an expected sum.

A plan for backing up and reusing tapes or removable disks by rotating them each day (child), week (parent), and month (grandparent).

A common form of authentication.

An authentication protocol that challenges a system to verify identity.

A rating of how fast dot-matrix printers can produce output.

The wire or roller that is used to put a uniform charge on the EP drum inside a toner cartridge.

The second step in EP printing, at which a special wire or roller in the toner cartridge gets a high voltage from the high voltage power supply (HVPS). It uses this high voltage to apply a strong, uniform negative charge (around 600VDC) to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

Movement of components, such as Integrated Circuits, RAM chips, and expansion cards, out of their sockets. A condition in which chips loosen because of thermal changes.

A group of chips on the motherboard that controls the timing and flow of data and instructions to and from the CPU. Commonly one or two integrated circuits comprising Northbridge and South-bridge functionality, allowing the CPU to communicate with I/O components of various speeds and capabilities.

A network processing scheme in which all intelligence is found in one computer and all other computers send requests to the central computer to be processed. Mainframe networks use centralized processing.

An integrity model for creating a secure architecture.

The traditional method by which BIOS reads from and writes to hard drives by addressing the correct cylinder, head, and sector. Also called normal mode.

A computer component, such as the main motherboard or an adapter board that has electronic circuits and chips.

Earlier CPU type of instruction set.

The maximum voltage allowed through a surge suppressor, such as 175 or 330 volts.

A computer concept whereby one computer (the client) requests information from another computer (the server).

An application that has two components. The client software requests data from the server software on the same or another computer.

The speed, or frequency, expressed in MHz, that controls activity on the motherboard and is generated by a crystal or oscillator located somewhere on the motherboard.

A computer that is a no-name Intel- and Microsoft-compatible PC.

An integrity model for creating a secure architecture.

A set of steps the bubble-jet or inkjet printer goes through in order to purge the print heads of any dried ink.

The first step in the EP print process, at which excess toner is scraped from the EP drum with a rubber blade.

A computer that requests resources from a network, often referred to as a workstation.

Software that allows a device to request resources from a network.

Also known as allocation unit, the collection of sectors that is treated as a single unit by the operating system. Only one file can occupy a cluster at a time. One or more sectors that constitute the smallest unit of space on a disk for storing data (also referred to as a file allocation unit). Files are written to a disk as groups of whole clusters.

One of two types of technologies used to manufacture microchips (the other type is TTL or transistor-transistor logic chips). CMOS chips require less electricity; hold data longer after the electricity is turned off, are slower, and produce less heat than TTL chips. The configuration, or setup, chip is a CMOS chip.

A chip on the motherboard that contains a very small amount of memory, or RAM enough to hold configuration, or setup, information about the computer. Also called CMOS setup chip or CMOS RAM chip.

(1) The chip on the motherboard that holds configuration information about the system, such as date and time, and which CPU, hard drives, or floppy drives are installed. Also called CMOS or CMOS RAM. The chip is powered by a battery when the PC is turned off. (2) The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM.

The extremely small storage space that holds user settings and dynamically discovered parameters for the BIOS.

The four standard colors used in printers. Some printers will have all colors on the same cartridge. Others will have separate black and CMY cartridges, while higher-end (mostly laser) printers will have separate cartridges for each color.

Memory modules that hold memory used as a memory cache.

Networking cable used with10-Mbps Ethernet ThinNet or ThickNet. A medium for connecting computer components that contains a center conductor, made of copper, surrounded by a plastic jacket, with a braided shield over the jacket.

An Ethernet card that contains more than one transceiver, each with a different port on the back of the card, in order to accommodate different cabling media.

Along with Msdos.sys and Io.sys, one of the three files that are the core components of the real-mode portion of Windows9x. Command.com provides a command prompt and interprets commands.

When two or more stations transmit onto a shared medium simultaneously, invalidating the data sent from each station.

A feature that gives you the option of compressing existing files in a particular folder. If the feature is turned on, Windows automatically compresses the subfolders and files. If not, only new files created in the directory are compressed.

A line or part of a line in a program that is intended as a remark or comment and is ignored when the program runs. A semicolon or an REM is often used to mark a line as a comment.

A specification for a small expansion slot on a motherboard that accommodates a small audio, modem, or network riser card.

A Windows XP utility that provides an application with the older Microsoft OS environment it was designed to operate in.

A drive whose format has been reorganized in order to store more data. A compressed drive is really not a drive at all; it's actually a type of file, typically with a host drive called H.

A text file used by DOS and supported by Windows 9x that lists device drivers to be loaded at startup. It can also set system variables to be used by DOS and Windows.

A component of Windows Plug and Play that controls the configuration process of all devices and communicates these configurations to the devices.

A protocol such as UDP that does not require a connection before sending a packet and does not guarantee delivery. An example of a UDP transmission is streaming video over the Web. Also called a best-effort protocol.

In networking, a protocol that confirms that a good connection has been made before transmitting data to the other end. An example of a connection-oriented protocol is TCP.

A technology used by hard drives and newer CD-ROM drives whereby the disk rotates at a constant speed.

A CD-ROM format in which the spacing of data is consistent on the CD, but the speed of the disc varies depending on whether the data being read near the center or the edge of the disc.

A continuous, unbroken path for the flow of electricity. A continuity test can determine whether or not internal wiring is still intact, or whether a fuse is good or bad.

A laser printer component that prevents too much toner from sticking to the cylinder surface.

Memory addresses between 0 and 640K. Also called base memory.

A process in which calculations are performed on bytes of data before and after they are transmitted to check for corruption during transmission.

A placeholder RIMM module that provides continuity so that every RIMM slot is filled.

Errors caused when more than one file points to a cluster and the files appear to share the same disk space, according to the file allocation table.

Any device that facilitates connections between network devices. Some examples include hubs, routers, switches, and bridges.

A cellular standard of Qualcomm. It allows for multiple transmissions to occur at the same time without interference.

A common type of backlight used in laptop computers.

Competition between two or more network devices for the same bandwidth.

A type of transfer corona assembly that uses a charged roller to apply charge to the paper.

A type of transfer corona assembly. Also, the wire in that assembly that is charged by the high-voltage power supply. It is narrow in diameter and located in a special notch under the EP print cartridge.

A cable used to connect two PCs into the simplest network possible. Also used to connect two hubs.

The file on the host drive of a compressed drive that holds all compressed data.

The collection of similarly numbered tracks across all writable surfaces of a hard disk assembly.

The lines on the system bus that the CPU uses to send and receive data.

A surge protector designed to work with the telephone line to a modem.

The number of lines on a bus that can hold data, for example, 8, 16, 32, and 64 lines, which can accommodate 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits at a time.

A card inside a notebook that converts voltage to CPU voltage. Some notebook manufacturers consider the card to be an FRU.

The hardware, usually a dial-up modem that provides the connection between a data terminal and a communications line. See also DTE.

The gateway a computer on a network will use to access another network unless it knows to specifically use another gateway for quicker access to that network.

The printer Windows prints to unless another printer is selected.

To optimize or rewrite a file to a disk in one contiguous chain of clusters, thus speeding up data retrieval.

The process by which digital data that has been converted to analog data is converted back to digital data. See modulation.

A program stored on the hard drive that tells the computer how to communicate with an input/output device such as a printer or modem.

An impact printer that uses a plastic or metal print mechanism with a different character on the end of each spoke of the wheel. As the print mechanism rotates to the correct letter, a small hammer strikes the character against the ribbon, transferring the image onto the paper.

The standard used by most cable systems for transmitting Internet traffic to a subscriber via television cable.

The signaling channel of an ISDN circuit; also referred to as the Delta channel.

A type of SDRAM that doubles the data rate of standard SDRAM by transmitting a single bit on both edges of each FSB clock cycle.

A type of SDRAM that uses both edges of each cycle, transferring two bits per edge.

A form of DDR2 memory that populates a PC2-5300 module and is made for a 667MHz FSB.

A type of SDRAM that uses both edges of each FSB clock cycle, transferring four bits per edge.

A form of DDR3 memory that populates a PC3-12800 module and is made for a 1600MHz FSB.

The server that is assigned to perform a specific application or service.

A service that assigns dynamic IP addresses to computers on a network when they first access the network.

Adapter cards designed to discover and report computer errors and conflicts at POST time (before the computer boots up), often by displaying a number on the card.

Utility programs that help troubleshoot computer systems. Some DOS diagnostic utilities are CHKDSK and SCANDISK. PC-Technician is an example of a third-party diagnostic program.

Backup method that backs up only files that have changed or have been created since the last full backup. When recovering data, only two backups are needed: the full backup and the last differential backup.

A SCSI cable in which a signal is carried on two wires, each carrying voltage, and the signal is the difference between the two. Differential signaling provides for error checking and greater data integrity. Compare to single-ended cable.

Digital codes used to identify and authenticate the source of a file or document.

A miniature circuit board used in newer computers to hold memory. DIMMs can hold up to 2 GB of RAM on a single module.

Attacks that prevent access to resources by users authorized to use those resources.

A four-layer networking model loosely corresponding to the OSI model, upon which the basis for the TCP/IP protocol suite was developed.

The roller inside a toner cartridge that presents a uniform line of toner to help apply the toner to the image written on the EP drum.

The fourth step in the EP print process, at which the image written on the EP drum by the laser is developed that is, it has toner stuck to it.

A software file that allows an operating system to communicate with a hardware device. Also called a driver.

The act of attempting to crack passwords by testing them against a list of dictionary words. With today's powerful computers, an attacker can combine one of many available automated password cracking utilities with several large dictionaries or wordlists and crack huge numbers of passwords in a matter of minutes. Any password based on any dictionary word is vulnerable to such an attack.

An electronic device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. Used in a rectifier circuit.

A switch on a circuit board or other device that can be set on or off to hold configuration or setup information.

Current that travels in only one direction (the type of electricity provided by batteries). Computer power supplies transform AC to low DC.

A memory module packaging style that features a circuit board with independent pins on both sides of the module's card edge.

A derivative of a DoS attack in which multiple hosts in multiple locations all focus on one target to reduce its availability to the public. See denial of service (DoS) attack.

A computer system in which processing is performed by several separate computers linked by a communications network. The term often refers to any computer system supported by a network, but more properly refers to a system in which each computer is chosen to handle a specific workload and the network supports the system as a whole.

A system which resolves computer hostnames to IP addresses.

Also referred to as a client-server networking model, a domain is a network where security is managed by a centralized server, often known as a domain controller.

An impact printer that has a print head containing a row of pins (short, sturdy stalks of hard wire) that are used to strike the ink ribbon to create an image.

A memory module that comprises two modules in one.

A pervasive type of volatile memory that requires a periodic refresh signal to keep its contents.

A type of SDRAM from Rambus implemented on RIMMs.

An interface and related circuitry designed to connect one of a few possible drive types to a motherboard or adapter card; often manifests as a header on the motherboard.

A software file that allows an operating system to communicate with a hardware device. Also called a device driver.

The device used to access DSL, commonly referred to mistakenly as a DSL modem.

Also known as D-sub, a trapezoidal connector and port pairing that features an interface that is broader on one edge than the other with angled sides connecting the edges; commonly found on classic I/O ports, such as RS-232 serial and parallel.

A RAM implementation scheme in which the memory controller requires two paired standard memory modules to read from or write to simultaneously. RIMM offers a single module that alone satisfies both channels on compatible motherboards.

A printer that uses heat to diffuse solid dyes onto the printing surface as a gas that resolidifies without ever going through a liquid state.

A protocol (and service) in the TCP/IP protocol suite that automatically configures network clients with IP configuration information when they join the network.

A memory technology by Rambus and Intel that uses a narrow, very fast network-type system bus. Memory is stored on a RIMM module. Also called RDRAM or Direct RDRAM.

An OS table that contains file information such as the name, size, time and date of last modification, and cluster number of the file's beginning location.

A type of L2 cache contained within the Pentium processor housing, but on a different die, with a cache bus between the processor and the cache.

A method whereby recently retrieved data and adjacent data are read into memory in advance, anticipating the next CPU request.

Making an exact image of a hard drive, including partition information, boot sectors, operating system installation, and application software to replicate the hard drive on another system or recover from a hard drive crash. Also called disk imaging.

Compressing data on a hard drive to allow more data to be written to the drive.

A Windows 2000/XP utility used to display and create and format partitions on basic disks and volumes on dynamic disks.

A limit placed on the amount of disk space that is available to users. Requires a Windows 2000/XP NTFS volume.

A condition that results when the hard drive is excessively used for virtual memory because RAM is full. It dramatically slows down processing and can cause premature hard drive failure.

Energy Star standard specifications that allow for the video card and monitor to go into sleep mode simultaneously. See also Energy Star.

A number identifying a channel whereby the device can pass data to memory without involving the CPU. Think of a DMA channel as a shortcut for data moving to/from the device and memory.

A distributed pool of information (called the name space) that keeps track of assigned domain names and their corresponding IP addresses, and the system that allows a host to locate information in the pool. Compare to WINS.

A computer that can find an IP address for another computer when only the domain name is known.

A device that receives a notebook computer and provides additional secondary storage and easy connection to peripheral devices.

In Windows NT/2000/XP, a logical group of networked computers, such as those on a college campus, that share a centralized directory database of user account information and security for the entire domain.

A Windows NT/2000 computer which holds and controls a database of (1) user accounts, (2) group accounts, and (3) computer accounts used to manage access to the network.

A unique, text-based name that identifies a network.

A type of Autoexec.bat file that is executed by Windows 9x in two situations: when you select Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode from the shutdown menu or you run a program in MS-DOS mode.

The distance between the dots that the electronic beam hits on a monitor screen.

A type of memory technology used on DIMMs that runs at twice the speed of the system clock.

A Windows utility that can record detailed information about the system, errors that occur, and the programs that caused them in a log file. Windows 9x names the log file \Windows\ Drwatson\WatsonXX.wlg, where XX is an incrementing number. Windows 2000 names the file \Documents and Settings\user\Documents\ DrWatson\Drwtsn32.log. Windows XP calls the file Drwatson.log.

A Windows 9x utility that compresses files so that they take up less space on a disk drive, creating a single large file on the disk to hold all the compressed files.

A telephone line that carries digital data from end to end, and can be leased from the telephone company for individual use. DSL lines are rated at 5 Mbps, about 50 times faster than regular telephone lines. A broadband Internet access technology that uses the existing phone line from your home to the phone company to carry digital signals at higher speeds.

Both the computer and a remote terminal or other computer to which it is attached. See also DCE.

The ability to boot using either of two different OSs, such as Windows 98 and Windows 2000.

A type of video display that is less expensive than an active-matrix display and does not provide as high-quality an image. With dual-scan display, two columns of electrodes are activated at the same time.

A CPU that requires two different voltages, one for internal processing and the other for I/O processing.

A file that contains information captured from memory at the time a stop error occurred.

A way to partition one or more hard drives, introduced with Windows 2000, in which information about the drive is stored in a database at the end of the drive. Compare to basic disk.

An assigned IP address that is used for the current session only. When the session is terminated, the IP address is returned to the list of available addresses.

The most common type of system memory, it requires refreshing every few milliseconds.

A volume type used with dynamic disks for which you can change the size of the volume after you have created it.

A special electric motor in a printer that can accurately move in very small increments. It powers all of the paper transport rollers as well as the fuser rollers.

Occurs when two objects of dissimilar electrical charge come in contact with each other; the charge can damage electronic components.

A disk that contains backup copies of portions of your Registry. It can be used to recover the system in the event of an operating system failure.

A variable used by the operating system that holds a value defining the computing environment.

The process by which an EP laser printer forms images on paper.

An external interface for the attachment of SATA devices that requires a shielded cable and different connector from the one used with internal SATA attachment.

A network technology based on the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD standard. The original Ethernet implementation specified 10MBps, baseband signaling, coaxial cable, and CSMA/CD media access. Ethernet standards now support data transmissions of up to 10Gbps.

A daughter card that is inserted into a bus slot in the motherboard to expand the native capabilities of a computer system.

One of the arbitrary insertion points in an expansion bus, based on a specific technology PCI, for example.

A chip set feature on a system board that checks the integrity of data stored on DIMMs or RIMMs and can correct single-bit errors in a byte. More advanced ECC schemas can detect, but not correct, double-bit errors in a byte. An error-checking scheme that is able to discover one or two bits in a byte that contain errors, and correct single-bit errors.

A bidirectional parallel port mode that uses a DMA channel to speed up data flow.

A type of RAM that may be 10 20 percent faster than conventional RAM because it eliminates the delay before it issues the next memory address.

A type of chip in which higher voltage may be applied to one of the pins to erase its previous memory before a new instruction set is electronically written.

A standard for managing the interface between secondary storage devices and a computer system. A system can support up to four IDE devices such as hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and Zip drives.

A magnetic field produced as a side effect from the flow of electricity. EMI can cause corrupted data in data lines that are not properly shielded.

A WindowsNT record of critical information about your system that can be used to fix a problem with the OS. The ERD enables restoration of the Windows NT registry on your hard drive.

A DOS and Windows 9x utility that provides access to upper memory for 16-bit device drivers and other software.

A way to use a key to encode a file or folder to protect sensitive data. Because it is an integrated system service, EFS is transparent to users and applications and is difficult to attack.

A type of virus that transforms itself into a nonreplicating program in order to avoid detection. It transforms itself back into a replicating program in order to spread.

The process of putting readable data into an encoded form that can only be decoded (or decrypted) through use of a key.

A system BIOS that has been written to accommodate large-capacity drives (over 504 MB, usually in the gigabyte range).

The CPU architecture used by the Intel Itanium chip that bundles programming instructions with instructions on how to use multiprocessing abilities to do two instructions in parallel.

A parallel port that allows data to flow in both directions (bidirectional port) and is faster than original parallel ports on PCs that allowed communication only in one direction.

A type of chip with a special window that allows the current memory contents to be erased with special ultraviolet light so that the chip can be reprogrammed. Many BIOS chips are EPROMs.

The ability of a modem to identify transmission errors and then automatically request another transmission.

A LAN architecture that uses a bus or star topology, uses CSMA/CD when two computers are trying to gain access to the network at the same time, and is the most popular network architecture in use today.

A type of Level 1 cache used by some CPUs to hold decoded operations waiting to be executed.

In Windows NT/2000/XP, a group of components running in kernel mode that interfaces between the subsystems in user mode and the HAL.

A bus that does not run in sync with the system clock.

A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to enhance the capability of the computer.

A narrow slot on the motherboard where an expansion card can be inserted. Expansion slots connect to a bus on the motherboard.

Memory above 1024K used in a DOS or Windows 9 x systems.

The only partition on a hard drive that can contain more than one logical drive.

Static cache memory, stored on the motherboard or inside the CPU housing that is not part of the CPU (also called L2 or L3 cache).

Commands that have their own program files.

A metal plate that comes with the motherboard and fits over the ports to create a well-fitted enclosure around them.

A device that feeds paper or other media into a printer.

The rubber roller in a laser printer that feeds the paper into the printer.

Parts that are designed to be able to be replaced by a technician working in the field.

These serve the purpose of controlling who has access and what type of access to what files or objects they have.

Servers on a network designed to hold and store files for clients.

A protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite that is optimized for file transfers. It uses ports 20 and 21.

A device on a printer that performs such final functions as folding, stapling, hole punching, sorting, or collating the documents being printed.

Software or hardware used to limit traffic based on a set of rules, usually an access control list.

Apple's original implementation of IEEE 1394b, a high-speed serial I/O interface, ideal for video applications between a computer and an external video source or destination. FireWire is a competing standard of USB.

Systems programming software embedded in a hardware device, such as a ROM chip; often used to control the low-level functionality of the system in which it is installed.

A nonvolatile form of solid-state memory similar in makeup to primary RAM but used for semipermanent storage, similar to writable disks.

To prepare a volume (such as a hard drive) to receive files and folders by defining the file structure.

The process of preparing the partition on a storage device such as a hard drive or flash memory to store data in a particular fashion.

The Data Link layer product that includes a portion of the original user data, upper-layer headers, and the Data Link header and trailer.

The high-speed bus controlled by the Northbridge on which RAM, cache (in the absence of the backside bus [BSB]), PCIe slots, AGP slots, and other local-bus components are interconnected with the CPU and, in some cases, each other.

Communications where both entities can send and receive simultaneously.

Key marked with the letters Fn that produces particular functions when pressed and held while pressing one of the function keys.

A device on an EP printer that uses two rollers to heat the toner particles and melt them to the paper. The fuser is made up of a halogen heating lamp, a Teflon-coated aluminum fusing roller, and a rubberized pressure roller. The lamp heats the aluminum roller. As the paper passes between the two rollers, the rubber roller presses the paper against the heated roller. This causes the toner to melt and become a permanent image on the paper.

The sixth and final step in the EP printing process, when the toner image on the paper is fused to the paper using heat and pressure. The heat melts the toner, and the pressure helps fuse the image permanently to the paper.

A table on a hard drive or floppy disk that tracks the clusters used to contain a file.

The 12-bit wide, one-column file allocation table for a floppy disk, containing information about how each cluster or file allocation unit on the disk is currently used.

The degree to which a system can tolerate failures. Adding redundant components, such as disk mirroring or disk duplexing, is a way to build in fault tolerance.

A ring-based network that does not require a centralized hub and can transfer data at a rate of 100 Mbps.

A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples: power supply, DIMM, motherboard, floppy disk drive.

A three-character portion of the name of a file that is used to identify the file type. In command lines, the file extension follows the filename and is separated from it by a period. For example, Msd.exe, where exe is the file extension.

The overall structure that an OS uses to name, store, and organize files on a disk. Examples of file systems are FAT32 and NTFS.

The first part of the name assigned to a file. In DOS, the filename can be no more than eight characters long and is followed by the file extension. In Windows, a filename can be up to 255 characters.

Hardware or software that protects a computer or network from unauthorized access.

Software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard is an example of firmware.

ROM That Can Be Reprogrammed Or Changed Without Replacing Chips.

A version of the ATX form factor that allows for maximum flexibility in the size and shape of cases and motherboards. FlexATX is ideal for custom systems.

When using modems, a method ofcontrolling the flow of data to adjust for problems with data transmission. Xon/Xoff is an example of a flow control protocol.

A Windows XP feature that allows a user to point to a folder that can be on the local PC or somewhere on the network and its location can be transparent to the user.

A type of SCSI active terminator that includes a mechanism to force signal termination to the correct voltage, eliminating most signal echoes and interference.

A set of specifications on the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard.

Preparing a new floppy disk for use by placing tracks and sectors on its surface to store information (for example, FORMAT A:). Old disks can be reformatted, but all data on them will be lost.

A memory mode used before the introduction of EDO memory. FPM improved on earlier memory types by sending the row address just once for many accesses to memory near that row.

The distribution of data files on a hard drive or floppy disk such that they are stored in noncontiguous clusters.

A file that has been written to different portions of the disk so that it is not in contiguous clusters.

The header and trailer information added to data to form a data packet to be sent over a network.

A complete backup, whereby all of the files on the hard drive are backed up each time the backup procedure is performed. It is the safest backup method, but it takes the most time.

Communication that happens in two directions at the same time.

A host name and a domain name such as jsmith.amazon.com. Sometimes loosely referred to as a domain name.

A general protection fault (GPF) happens in Windows when a program accesses memory that another program is using or when a program accesses a memory address that doesn't exist.

The most popular cellular standard. It uses a variety of bands to transmit. The most popular are 900MHz and 1800MHz, but 400, 450, and 850MHz are also used.

A computer or other device that connects networks.

The newest version of Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet supports rates of data transfer up to 1 gigabit per second but is not yet widely used.

One thousand MHz, or one billion cycles per second.

Sometimes called a domain user account, the account is used at the domain level, created by an administrator, and stored in the SAM (security accounts manager) database on a Windows 2000 or Windows .NET domain controller.

A type of video card that has an on-board processor that can substantially increase speed and boost graphical and video performance.

Communications that occur when only one entity can transmit or receive at any one instant.

A disk drive that contains magnetically coated platters in a sealed case and is often used as the main secondary-storage medium.

The process of reducing or eliminating weaknesses, securing services, and attempting to make your environment immune to attacks.

In hardware, a technology-specific connector on a circuit board for cabling an internal peripheral device to the board. In software, protocol-specific control information added to the original data or to the protocol data unit from the next-higher protocol in the stack. Information attached to the beginning of a network data frame.

A block of aluminum or other metal, with veins throughout or fins, that sits on top of a heat-producing component, drawing its heat away.

A flat heat sink of sorts that adds surface area to a heat-producing component, allowing better heat transfer to the surrounding air; often coupled with a fan for devices that run at a higher temperature.

A connector that is both male and female.

A tool with a very large needle, a gauge that indicates volts, and a wire with an alligator clip used to discharge electricity from electronic devices.

In networking, an intermediate device and cabling between two other devices.

Any computer or device on a TCP/IP network that has an IP address.

A firewall implemented on a single machine. It is usually a software implementation. Contrast with network-based firewall.

Another word for a patch. When Microsoft rolls a bunch of hot fixes together, they become known as a service pack.

A basic connectivity device used to link several computers together into a physical star topology. A hub repeats any signal that comes in on one port and copies it to the other ports.

A protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite that is the backbone for Internet (web) traffic. It uses port 80.

Secure protocol for most Internet traffic; it uses port 443 by default.

The low-level part of Windows NT/2000/XP, written specifically for each CPU technology, so that only the HAL must change when platform components change.

The time it takes for a medium storing data to weaken to half of its strength. Magnetic media, including traditional hard drives and floppy disks, have a half-life of five to seven years.

Communication between two devices whereby transmission takes place in only one direction at a time.

When two modems begin to communicate, the initial agreement made as to how to send and receive data.

Restart the computer by turning off the power or by pressing the Reset button. Also called a cold boot.

Output from a printer to paper.

The main secondary storage device of a PC, a small case that contains magnetic coated platters that rotate at high speed.

The firmware that controls access to a hard drive contained on a circuit board mounted on or inside the hard drive housing. Older hard drives used firmware on a controller card that connected to the drive by way of two cables, one for data and one for control.

The amount of time before a hard drive will shut down to conserve energy.

The illegal practice of installing unauthorized software on computers for sale. Hard-disk loading can typically be identified by the absence of original software disks in the original system's shipment.

The physical components that constitute the computer system, such as the monitor, the keyboard, the motherboard, and the printer.

A disk cache that is contained in RAM chips built right on the disk controller.

An event caused by a hardware device signaling the CPU that it requires service.

A set of hardware configuration information that Windows keeps in the registry. Windows can maintain more than one hardware profile for the same PC.

The list of all computers and peripheral devices that have been tested and are officially supported by Windows NT/2000/XP.

The top or bottom surface of one platter on a hard drive. Each platter has two heads.

A piece of metal, with cooling fins, that can be attached to or mounted on an integrated chip (such as the CPU) to dissipate heat.

Unit of measurement for frequency, calculated in terms of vibrations, or cycles per second. For example, for 16-bit stereo sound, a frequency of 44,000 Hz is used. See also megahertz.

A numbering system that uses 16 digits, the numerals 0-9, and the letters A-F. Hexadecimal notation is often used to display memory addresses.

A file that is not displayed in a directory list. Whether to hide or display a file is one of the file's attributes kept by the OS.

The first 64K of extended memory.

A type of SCSI differential signaling requiring more expensive hardware to handle the higher voltage. HVD became obsolete with the introduction of SCSI-3.

Formatting performed by means of the DOS or Windows Format program (for example, FORMAT C:/S creates the boot record, FAT, and root directory on drive C and makes the drive bootable). Also called OS formatting.

The DOS and Windows 9x memory manager extension that allowed access to memory addresses above 1 MB.

Physical segment of the Windows NT/ 2000/XP registry that is stored in a file.

Any computer or other device on a network that has been assigned an IP address.

The circuit board that controls a SCSI bus supporting as many as seven or fifteen separate devices. The host adapter controls communication between the SCSI bus and the PC.

Typically drive H on a compressed drive. See compressed drive.

A name that identifies a computer, printer, or other device on a network.

A device that can be plugged into a computer while it is turned on and the computer will sense the device and configure it without rebooting, or the device can be removed without an OS error. Also called hot-pluggable.

A markup language used for hypertext documents on the World Wide Web. This language uses tags to format the document, create hyperlinks, and mark locations for graphics.

protocol used by the World Wide Web.

A version of the HTTP protocol that includes data encryption for security.

A network device or box that provides a central location to connect cables.

Text that contains links to remote points in the document or to other files, documents, or graphics. Hypertext is created using HTML and is commonly distributed from Web sites.

A unique, hermaphroditic connector commonly used with IBM's Token Ring technology and Type 1 or 2 STP cable.

An attack that occurs by triggering a response from the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) when it responds to a seemingly legitimate maintenance request.

An illegal operation error usually means that a program was forced to quit because it did something Windows didn't like.

Any printer that forms an image on paper by forcing a character image against an inked ribbon. Dot-matrix, daisy-wheel, and line printers are all impact printers, whereas laser printers are not.

An attempt to violate a security policy, a successful penetration, a compromise of a system, or unauthorized access to information.

A type of wireless transmission between devices that use radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The association that creates and maintains infrared standards.

Wireless transmission between devices that use radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

A reservoir of ink and a print head, in a removable package.

A type of sprayed-ink printer. Often called a bubble-jet.

Making the computer resistant to computer viruses.

A worldwide digital communications network emerging from existing telephone services, intended to replace all analog systems with a completely digital transmission system.

A motherboard that has I/O interfaces and their circuitry built in.

The point of connectivity between a port in the system unit and a cable with an opposite-gender compatible connector. The port or connection through which a device attaches to an external component, such as a printer's parallel or USB port for connection to a computer, as well as the software that enables the port to communicate with the external component, such as a Windows XP driver for an HP LaserJet.

The operating system-specific driver that enables communication between the computer and a peripheral.

A message and management protocol for TCP/IP that transmits error messages and network statistics. The ping utility uses ICMP.

A protocol commonly used to retrieve e-mail from e-mail servers.

The underlying communications protocol on which the Internet is based. IP provides addressing on a TCP/IP network and allows a data packet to travel across many networks before reaching its final destination.

A company that provides Internet access and e-mail addresses for users.

The default communication protocol for versions of the Novell NetWare operating system before NetWare 5. IPX and SPX correspond loosely to IP and TCP, respectively, in the TCP/IP protocol suite.

A small circuit board installed behind the LCD panel that takes AC power and converts (inverts) it for the backlight.

An attack during which a hacker tries to gain access to a network by pretending their interface has the same network address as the internal network.

The device that connects a computer to an ISDN line.

Numbers that are used by devices and the CPU to manage communication between them. Also called ports or port addresses.

An older card that can contain serial, parallel, and game ports and floppy drive and IDE connectors.

A computer that uses an Intel (or compatible) processor and can run DOS and Windows.

Part of the IP layer that is used to transmit error messages and other control messages to hosts and routers.

A standard governing hard drive technology and how secondary storage devices, such as hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and Zip drives, related to a system.

A standard for parallel ports and cables developed by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and supported by many hardware manufacturers.

Standards for an expansion bus that can also be configured to work as a local bus. It is expected to replace the SCSI bus, providing an easy method to install and configure fast I/O devices. Also called FireWire and i.Link.

A standard, developed by the 1394 Trade Association, that is designed for peer-to-peer data transmission and allows imaging devices to send images and photos directly to printers without involving a computer.

An IEEE specification for wireless communication and data synchronization that competes with Bluetooth. Also known as Wi-Fi. Apple Computer's version of 802.11b is called AirPort.

Version 4 of the IMAP protocol, which is an e-mail protocol that has more functionality than its predecessor, POP. IMAP can archive messages in folders on the e-mail server and can allow the user to choose not to download attachments to messages.

A time-saving backup method that only backs up files changed or newly created since the last full or incremental backup. Multiple incremental backups might be required when recovering lost data.

Any unwanted program that is transmitted to a computer without the user's knowledge and that is designed to do varying degrees of damage to data and software. There are a number of different types of infestations, including viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and logic bombs.

Text file with an .inf file extension, such as Msbatch.inf, that contains information about a hardware or software installation.

Configuration information files for Windows. System.ini is one of the most important Windows 9x initialization files.

A Windows 9x Plug and Play component that is responsible for all disk access.

A nonprofit organization that develops standards for the computer and electronics industries.

The set of instructions, on the CPU chip, that the computer can perform directly (such as ADD and MOVE).

A hard drive whose disk controller is integrated into the drive, eliminating the need for a controller cable and thus increasing speed, as well as reducing price.

A UPS connected to a computer by way of a serial cable so that software on the computer can monitor and control the UPS.

A type of display in which the electronic beam of a monitor draws every other line with each pass, which lessens the overall effect of a lower refresh rate.

The bus inside the CPU that is used for communication between the CPU's internal components.

Memory cache that is faster than external cache, and is contained inside 80486 and Pentium chips (also referred to as primary, Level 1, or L1 cache).

Commands that are embedded in the Command.com file.

Windows XP software designed to protect a PC from unauthorized access from the Internet.

A Windows 98 and Windows XP utility that uses NAT and acts as a proxy server to manage two or more computers connected to the Internet.

A commercial group that provides Internet access for a monthly fee. AOL, Earthlink, and CompuServe are large ISPs.

A private network that uses the TCP/IP protocols.

Along with Msdos.sys and Command.com, one of the three files that are the core components of the real mode portion of Windows 9x. It is the first program file of the OS.

The rules of communication in the TCP/IP stack that control segmenting data into packets, routing those packets across networks, and then reassembling the packets once they reach their destination.

A 32-bit address consisting of four numbers separated by periods, used to uniquely identify a device on a network that uses TCP/IP protocols. The first numbers identify the network; the last numbers identify a host. An example of an IP address is 206.96.103.114.

A line on a bus that is assigned to a device and is used to signal the CPU for servicing. These lines are assigned a reference number (for example, the normal IRQ for a printer is IRQ 7).

An older slot on the motherboard used for slower I/O devices, which can support an 8-bit or a 16-bit data path. ISA slots are mostly replaced by PCI slots.

A method used by IEEE 1394 to transfer data continuously without breaks.

The international organization responsible for developing international standards of communication. Formerly CCITT.

A graphical compression scheme that allows the user to control the amount of data that is averaged and sacrificed as file size is reduced. It is a common Internet file format. Most JPEG files have a .jpg extension.

Two wires that stick up side by side on the motherboard and are used to hold configuration information. The jumper is considered closed if a cover is over the wires, and open if the cover is missing.

An authentication scheme that uses tickets (unique keys) embedded within messages. Named after the three-headed guard dog that stood at the gates of Hades in Greek mythology.

A device that switches a single keyboard/video/mouse set among multiple computer systems

The portion of an OS that is responsible for interacting with the hardware.

A Windows NT/2000/XP privileged processing mode that has access to hardware components.

(1) In encryption, a secret number or code used to encode and decode data. (2) In Windows, a section name of the Windows registry.

Cache memory that is built into the processor die (the CPU's silicon wafer).

Cache memory that can be collocated with the CPU in the same packaging or placed on the motherboard, external to the CPU packaging. L2 cache is not built into the processor die.

Cache memory on the motherboard that is named as such only when L2 cache is in the CPU packaging. L3 cache is the new name, in such a situation, for what used to be termed L2 cache.

In PCIe, a switched point-to-point signal path between any two PCIe components. The designation x16, for example, in PCIe represents a component's ability to communicate over 16 lanes simultaneously.

A generic name for a printer that uses the electro photographic (EP) print process.

An advanced boot option that lets you restore the system to a prior, functional state, which will allow you to log in again.

The amount of delay between sending a network data request and receiving a response.

Switch for changing the display state on a laptop accessed by pressing the function key and another key, often F8 or F4.

In PCIe, the single lane or combined collection of lanes that the PCIe switch interconnects between devices. Two PCIe devices can only request links as wide as the narrowest lane rating between the two, such as four lanes between an x4 component and an x16 component.

A cooling method used to keep CPUs and other hot-running components from overheating by pumping a liquid from outside the system through tubing that leads to blocks that mount to the components like heat sinks.

A group of computers and associated peripherals connected by a communications channel, capable of sharing files and other resources among several users.

The topology that defines how the data flows in a network.

Used to test basic TCP/IP functionality for your network card. The IP address 127.0.0.1 is reserved as the loopback address.

Microscopic flat areas on the surface of a CD or DVD that separate pits. Lands and pits are used to represent data on the disk.

A mode of addressing information on hard drives that range from 504 MB to 8.4 GB, addressing information on a hard drive by translating cylinder, head, and sector information in order to break the 528-MB hard drive barrier. Another name for large mode. Also called ECHS mode.

A hard drive larger than 504 MB.

A mode of addressing information on hard drives in which the BIOS and operating system view the drive as one long linear list of LBAs or addressable sectors, permitting drives to be larger than 8.4 GB (LBA 0 is cylinder 0, head 0, and sector 1).

A device that regulates, or conditions, power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts and spikes.

A protocol used to send data packets destined for a network over telephone lines. PPP and SLIP are examples of line protocols.

A variation of a standby UPS that shortens switching time by always keeping the inverter that converts AC to DC working, so that there is no charge-up time for the inverter.

A text file located in the Windows folder that contains NetBIOS names and their associated IP addresses. This file is used for name resolution for a NetBEUI network.

A bus that operates at a speed synchronized with the CPU frequency. The system bus is a local bus.

A local bus that provides I/O devices with fast access to the CPU.

A printer connected to a computer by way of a port on the computer. Compare to network printer.

User profile that is stored on a local computer and cannot be accessed from another computer on the network.

A user account that applies only to a local computer and cannot be used to access resources from other computers on the network.

Dormant code added to software that is triggered by a predetermined time or event.

A portion or all of a hard drive partition that is treated by the operating system as though it were a physical drive. Each logical drive is assigned a drive letter, such as drive C, and contains a file system. Also called a volume.

The number of heads, tracks, and sectors that the BIOS on the hard drive controller presents to the system BIOS and the OS. The logical geometry does not consist of the same values as the physical geometry, although calculations of drive capacity yield the same results.

A number assigned to a logical device (such as a tray in a CD changer) that is part of a physical SCSI device, which is assigned a SCSI ID.

File fragments that, according to the file allocation table, contain data that does not belong to any file. The command CHKDSK/F can free these fragments. Also called lost allocation units.

A socket that requires the installer to manually apply an even force over the microchip when inserting the chip into the socket.

A type of differential signaling that uses lower voltage than does HVD, is less expensive, and can be compatible with single-ended signaling on the same SCSI bus.

A process (usually performed at the factory) that electronically creates the hard drive tracks and sectors and tests for bad spots on the disk surface.

A form factor in which expansion cards are mounted on a riser card that plugs into a motherboard. The expansion cards in LPX systems are mounted parallel to the motherboard, rather than perpendicular to it as in AT and ATX systems.

A software exploitation virus that works by using the macro feature included in many applications.

A printer stepper motor that is used to advance the paper.

Provides a zero position for an ink- or bubble-jet print head and keeps the print nozzles clear between print jobs.

An attack that occurs when someone/-thing that is trusted intercepts packets and retransmits them to another party. Man-in-the-middle attacks have also been called TCP/IP hijacking in the past.

A document that contains safety information about a given product. Information provided includes safe handling procedures, what to do in case of an accident, and disposal information.

The unique physical address for each NIC. One of two layers of the Data Link layer in the OSI model. A 6-byte hexadecimal hardware address unique to each NIC card and assigned by the manufacturer. The address is often printed on the adapter. An example is 00 00 0C 08 2F 35. Also called a physical address, an adapter address, or a hardware address.

A requirement of a CPU and memory controller, based on system-bus width and single/dual-channel support, that reflects on the minimum number of memory chips or modules required to satisfy a single read or write cycle. Leads to physical constraints that must be observed during initial installation or upgrading of the system's RAM, such as the ability to install single modules or a minimum of a pair, quad, and so forth.

A type of logical topology in which each device on a network is connected to every other device on the network. This topology uses routers to search multiple paths and determine the best path.

A solid-state, or flash, memory card format related to SD cards.

A solid-state, or flash, memory card format related to SD cards.

A contraction of the term modulator/demodulator. Modems connect digital devices over analog connections. The term has been adapted for any device that connects personal computers and personal networks to a service provider's network, such as DSL modems and cable modems, for instance.

The larger power connector that most often provides power to hard disk drives and other devices that require more current to power their motors than offered by a Berg connector.

A laser printer that includes copier-like functions (coalition, stapling, and so on), so each copy is essentially an original.

The CPU technology that places multiple processor dies in the same packaging, or the equivalent thereof.

The term employed anytime more than one factor must be considered.

A peripheral that is essentially a printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine all in one.

A solid-state, or flash, memory card format.

A virus that attacks a system in more than one way.

A server that has more than one use. For example, a multipurpose server can be both a file server and a print server.

A technology that daisy-chains components to one another with a 5-pin standard DIN connector and uses special packets to communicate with other MIDI devices and the computer's audio subsystem.

A small sequence of commands, contained within a document that can be automatically executed when the document is loaded, or executed later by using a predetermined keystroke.

A virus that can hide in the macros of a document file. Typically, viruses do not reside in data or document files.

A roaming user profile that applies to all users in a user group, and individual users cannot change that profile.

The first sector on a hard drive, which contains the partition table and a program the BIOS uses to boot an OS from the drive.

The database used by the NTFS file system to track the contents of a logical drive.

A document that explains how to properly handle substances such as chemical solvents; it includes information such as physical data, toxicity, health effects, first aid, storage, disposal, and spill procedures.

One million Hz, or one million cycles per second. See hertz (Hz).

Physical microchips that can hold data and programming, located on the motherboard or expansion cards.

A number assigned to each byte in memory. The CPU can use memory addresses to track where information is stored in RAM. Memory addresses are usually displayed as hexadecimal numbers in segment/offset form.

A small amount of faster RAM that stores recently retrieved data, in anticipation of what the CPU will request next, thus speeding up access. See also system bus.

The contents of memory saved to a file at the time an event halted the system. Support technicians can analyze the dump file to help understand the source of the problem.

For DOS and Windows 9x, a device driver named Himem.sys that manages RAM, giving access to memory addresses above 1 MB.

In Windows, swapping blocks of RAM memory to an area of the hard drive to serve as virtual memory when RAM is low.

A virus that can stay lurking in memory even after its host program is terminated.

A recent version of the ATX form factor. MicroATX addresses some new technologies that have been developed since the original introduction of ATX.

A utility to build customized consoles. These consoles can be saved to a file with an .msc file extension.

A smaller ATX board that can be used with regular ATX cases and power supplies.

A tape drive cartridge that is only 31?4 2 21?2 2 3?5 inches. It is small enough to allow two drives to fit into a standard 51?2-inch drive bay of a PC case.

In Windows NT/2000/XP, a simplified file system that is started so that Ntldr (NT Loader) can read files from any file system the OS supports.

A smaller version of the LPX motherboard.

A Windows 2000 mode for domain controllers used when there is at least one Windows NT domain controller on the network.

Multimedia instructions built into Intel processors to add functionality such as better processing of multimedia, SIMD support, and increased cache.

A small modem card that uses an AMR or CNR slot. Part of the modem logic is contained in a controller on the motherboard.

The speed at which a modem can transmit data along a phone line, measured in bits per second (bps). Also called line speed.

Converting binary or digital data into an analog signal that can be sent over standard telephone lines.

The most commonly used output device for displaying text and graphics on a computer.

The main board in the computer, also called the system board. The CPU, ROM chips, SIMMs, DIMMs, RIMMs, and interface cards are plugged into the motherboard.

A method to compress audio files that uses MPEG level 3. It can reduce sound files as low as a 1:24 ratio without losing much sound quality.

A processing-intensive standard for data compression for motion pictures that tracks movement from one frame to the next and only stores the data that has changed.

In Windows 9x, a text file that contains settings used by Io.sys during booting. In DOS, the Msdos.sys file was a program file that contained part of the DOS core.

A process in which a message is sent by one host to multiple hosts, such as when a video conference is broadcast to several hosts on the Internet.

A device used to measure the various components of an electrical circuit. The most common measurements are voltage, current, and resistance.

A combination of a boot sector virus and a file virus. It can hide in either type of program.

The factor by which the bus speed or frequency is multiplied to get the CPU clock speed.

A monitor that can work within a range of frequencies and thus can work with different standards and video cards. It offers a variety of refresh rates.

A feature that allows data to be read from or written to a CD during more than one session. This is important if the disk was only partially filled during the first write.

A centralized hub used in token ring networks to connect stations. Also called CAU. The central device in a Token Ring network that provides both the physical and logical connections to the stations.

Doing more than one thing at a time. A true multitasking system requires two or more CPUs, each processing a different thread at the same time. Compare to cooperative multitasking and preemptive multitasking.

The ability to pass more than one function (thread) to the OS kernel at the same time, such as when one thread is performing a print job while another reads a file.

A network device driver for the transport layer supplied with Microsoft's LAN Manager. A fast, proprietary Microsoft networking protocol used only by Windows-based systems, and limited to LANs because it does not support routing.

In networking, a layer of software, originally developed in 1984 by IBM and Sytek that links a network operating system with specific network hardware. NetBIOS provides an application program interface (API) with a consistent set of commands for requesting lower-level network services to transmit information from node to node.

A group of computers and associated peripherals connected by a communications channel capable of sharing files and other resources between several users.

The process of translating private, non-routable IP addresses into public IP addresses.

A firewall designed to protect an entire network of computers instead of just one system. It's generally a stand-alone hardware device with specialized software installed on it to protect your network.

In networking, the PC expansion board that plugs into a personal computer or server and works with the network operating system to control the flow of information over the network. The network interface card is connected to the network media (twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber optic cable, or wireless), which in turn connects all the network interface cards in the network.

A computer that can be both a server and a workstation. In practice, by performing the functions of both server and workstation, this type of server does neither function very well. Non-dedicated servers are typically used in peer-to-peer networks.

A motherboard that has no I/O interfaces built in, except for a keyboard and possibly mouse interfaces.

A model intended to ensure that higher-level security functions don't interfere with lower-level functions.

A memory subsystem that does not support parity checking, possibly resulting in fewer chips populating the memory module.

The Microsoft implementation of Novell's IPX/SPX protocol.

The process of associating a NetBIOS name or host name to an IP address.

One of the two main SCSI specifications. Narrow SCSI has an 8-bit data bus. The word narrow is not usually included in the names of narrow SCSI devices.

A process that converts private IP addresses on a LAN to the proxy server's IP address before a data packet is sent over the Internet.

A Windows 2000 mode used by domain controllers when there are no Windows NT domain controllers present on the network.

Mounting a drive to a computer, such as drive E, that is actually hard drive space on another host computer on the network.

An expansion card that plugs into a computer's motherboard and provides a port on the back of the card to connect a PC to a network. Also called a network adapter.

An operating system that resides on the controlling computer in the network. The NOS controls what software, data, and devices a user on the network can access. Examples of an NOS are Novell Netware and Windows 2000 Server.

A printer that any user on the network can access, through its own network card and connection to the network, through a connection to a standalone print server, or through a connection to a computer as a local printer, which is shared on the network.

A low-end form factor that is similar to LPX but provides greater support for current and emerging processor technologies. NLX was designed for flexibility and efficiency of space.

The protocol used by newsgroup server and client software.

Any computer, workstation, or device on a network.

An extraneous, unwanted signal, often over an analog phone line, that can cause communication interference or transmission errors. Possible sources are fluorescent lighting, radios, TVs, lightning, or bad wiring.

A type of display in which the electronic beam of a monitor draws every line on the screen with each pass.

A virus that is terminated when the host program is closed. Compare to memory-resident virus.

Eight-bit memory without error checking. A SIMM part number with a 32 in it (4 2 8 bits) is non-parity.

Refers to a kind of RAM that is stable and can hold data as long as electricity is powering the memory.

That portion of the chip set hub that connects faster I/O buses (for example, AGP bus) to the system bus. Compare to South Bridge. The functional part of the chipset that controls local-bus communication among components connected to the frontside bus, such as the CPU and memory.

The file system for the Windows NT/2000/XP operating systems. NTFS cannot be accessed by other operating systems such as DOS. It provides increased reliability and security in comparison to other methods of organizing and accessing files. There are several versions of NTFS that might or might not be compatible.

In Windows NT/2000/XP, the OS loader used on Intel systems.

An emulated environment in which a 16-bit DOS application resides within Windows NT/2000/XP with its own memory space or WOW (Win16 on Win32).

A cable that allows two data terminal equipment (DTE) devices to communicate in which the transmit and receive wires are cross-connected and no modems are necessary.

A United States federal agency in charge of administering the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA is responsible for ensuring that employees have a safe work environment.

A wireless access point that employs no encryption or authentication, allowing any device that receives the signal potential access to the connected network.

A seven-layer theoretical networking model developed by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

Term for each of the four 8-bit numbers that make up an IP address. For example, the IP address 206.96.103.114 has four octets.

The standard unit of measurement for electrical resistance. Resistors are rated in ohms.

Ports that are directly on the motherboard, such as a built-in keyboard port or on-board serial port.

Software that controls a computer. An OS controls how system resources are used and provides a user interface, a way of managing hardware and software, and ways to work with files.

A group of bits ready for transmission over a network. It includes a header, data, and a trailer.

Describes the whole page being printed. The controller in the printer interprets these commands and turns them into laser pulses or firing print wires.

A printer that gets its instructions one page at a time, such as a laser printer.

The portion of the printer that picks up paper from the paper drawer and feeds it into the printer.

The sensors on the paper feed mechanism that detect when the printer has paper or is out of paper.

A D-shaped roller that rotates against the paper and pushes one sheet into a printer.

A legacy port and cable-connector pairing based on a DB25 interface most commonly used for attaching a printer to a computer.

Storing an extra bit with and based on each byte in memory. When a byte is accessed, the validity of the parity bit is checked. If the check shows an error, the byte is rejected because there is no way to determine the nature of the error.

When the print head is in the locked, resting position.

A logical grouping of data organized to fall under a single drive letter for primary partitions and multiple drives for extended partitions.

The process of assigning part or all of a hard drive for use by the computer.

A type of hub that electrically connects all network ports together. This type of hub is not powered.

An authentication protocol that offers no true security, but it's one of the simplest forms of authentication. The username and password values are both sent to the server as clear text and checked for a match.

Attempting to enter a password by guessing its value.

A fix for a known software problem.

The location to a file or folder.

An SDR SDRAM module based on a 100MHz FSB.

A DDR2 SDRAM module capable of 3200MBps of throughput and populated with DDR2-400 memory chips and based on a 400MHz FSB.

A DDR SDRAM module capable of 2700MBps of throughput and populated with DDR333 memory chips and based on a 333MHz FSB.

A DDR SDRAM module capable of 3200MBps of throughput and populated with DDR333 memory chips and based on a 333MHz FSB.

A description that identifies how the cables on a network are physically arranged.

The motor that turns the pickup roller in a printer.

A Bluetooth network. A Bluetooth-enabled device can communicate with up to seven other devices in a single piconet. Devices can also be members of multiple piconets.

The physical discs on which magnetic or optical data is stored. Hard drive platters, for example, are on a spindle inside a sealed encasement.

When referring to coaxial covering, a designation that means the coating does not produce toxic gas when burned (as PVC does) and is rated for use in air plenums that carry breathable air.

A standard set of specifications that was developed by Intel to enable a computer to detect a new device automatically and install the appropriate driver.

An attribute of some viruses that allows them to mutate and appear differently each time they crop up. The mutations make it harder for virus scanners to detect (and react) to the viruses.

The part of an interface found on the computer side to which an opposite-gendered connector from a cable attaches.

Configuring an ACL, or setting up rules that determine what gets through a firewall.

Allowing packets that meet the criteria in the ACL to pass through the firewall to their destination.

The logical channel that TCP/IP-based protocols use to communicate.

An automated form of port forwarding. It allows traffic to enter the network on a specific port after a computer makes an outbound request on that specific port.

A circuit board that fits into an ISA or PCI expansion slot in the motherboard and reports numeric codes as the boot process progresses. By looking up the number where the card stops, you can identify the source of problems.

A TCP/IP protocol optimized for the receiving of e-mail. The current standard is POP3, which uses port 100.

A Plain Old Telephone Service line, the original analog technology for phone lines still in use today for standard phone service.

The set of conductive pathways that converts 110V or 220V house current into the voltages a bubble-jet printer uses (usually 12V and 5V) and distributes those voltages to the other printer circuits and devices that need it.

Part of the boot process controlled by the BIOS that verifies the working condition of the hardware the BIOS knows about.

A component that converts an external power source to the power required by the other components of the system it powers.

The first partition created in an operating system.

A form of ISDN that contains 23 64-bit B channels and 1 64-bit D channel for a total combined speed of 1536Kbps.

A small amount of memory located on the printer used to hold print jobs.

Runs a printer's stepper motors, loads paper, and so on. Monitors the health of the printer and reports that information back to the computer.

A large circuit board in a laser printer that converts signals from the computer into signals for the various parts in a printer.

Fonts that are installed into the onboard memory of the printer.

A fabric strip that is impregnated with ink and wrapped around two spools encased in a cartridge. This cartridge is used in dot-matrix printers to provide the ink for the print process.

Electromechanical output devices that are used to put information from the computer onto paper.

The part of a printer that creates the printed image. In a dot-matrix printer, the print head contains the small pins that strike the ribbon to create the image, and in an inkjet printer, the print head contains the jets used to create the ink droplets as well as the ink reservoirs. A laser printer creates images using an electro photographic method similar to that found in photocopiers and does not have a print head.

The process by which the print head is calibrated for use. A special utility that comes with the printer software is used to do this.

The component of a bubble-jet printer that moves back and forth during printing. It contains the physical as well as electronic connections for the print head and (in some cases) the ink reservoir.

Another name for the media being printed on. Examples include paper, transparencies, and labels.

the documents that are waiting to be printed

A network server that hosts one or more printers for clients to use.

A service that formats print jobs in the language that the printer needs.

In satellite Internet, the delay caused by the length of time required to transmit data and receive a response via satellite.

In networking and communications, the specification that defines the procedures to follow when transmitting and receiving data. Protocols define the format, timing, sequence, and error-checking systems used.

Also called a proxy, it makes requests of a computer for another computer.

A 6-pin mini-DIN connector named after the second generation of IBM personal computers and still a choice today, trailing behind USB in popularity, for mouse and keyboard attachment.

The network that carries standard, non-packetized voice and data traffic from subscribers. Traffic can originate from POTS, ISDN, and DSL lines but does not include DSL's data-band traffic.

Power connection on an ATX motherboard.

One of two power connectors on an AT motherboard.

One of two power connectors on an AT motherboard.

Segment of network data that also includes header, destination address, and trailer information that is sent as a unit. Also called data packet or datagram.

An OS interrupt that occurs when the OS is forced to access the hard drive to satisfy the demands for virtual memory.

The Windows NT/2000/XP swap file.

The process in which the memory manager goes to the hard drive to return the data from a swap file to RAM.

The process in which, when RAM is full, the memory manager takes a page and moves it to the swap file.

4K segments in which Windows NT/ 2000/XP allocates memory.

A female 25-pin port on a computer that can transmit data in parallel, 8 bits at a time, and is usually used with a printer. The names for parallel ports are LPT1 and LPT2.

An error-checking scheme in which a ninth, or parity, bit is added. The value of the parity bit is set to either 0 or 1 to provide an even number of ones for even parity and an odd number of ones for odd parity.

An error that occurs when the number of 1s in the byte is not in agreement with the expected number.

Nine-bit memory in which the ninth bit is used for error checking. A SIMM part number with a 36 in it (4 2 9 bits) is parity. Older PCs almost always use parity chips.

A division of a hard drive that can be used to hold logical drives.

A table at the beginning of the hard drive that contains information about each partition on the drive. The partition table is contained in the Master Boot Record.

A type of backplane system in which the backplane contains no circuitry at all. Passive backplanes locate all circuitry on a mothercard plugged into a backplane.

A type of terminator for single-ended SCSI cables. Simple resistors are used to provide termination of a signal. Passive termination is not reliable over long distances and should only be used with narrow SCSI.

An update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update or service pack.

A network cable that is used to connect a PC to a hub.

(1) A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\command. (2) The OS command to provide a list of paths to the system for finding program files to execute.

A credit-card-sized adapter card that can be slid into a slot in the side of many notebook computers and is used for connecting to modems, networks, and CD-ROM drives. Also called PCMCIA Card.

An expansion slot on a notebook computer, into which a PC Card is inserted. Also called a PCMCIA Card slot.

A bus common on Pentium computers that runs at speeds of up to 33 MHz or 66 MHz, with a 32-bit-wide or 64-bit-wide data path. PCI-X, released in September 1999, enables PCI to run at 133 MHz. For some chip sets, it serves as the middle layer between the memory bus and expansion buses.

A small, handheld computer that has its own operating system and applications.

A network of computers that are all equals, or peers. Each computer has the same amount of authority, and each can act as a server to the other computers.

Devices that communicate with the CPU but are not located directly on the motherboard, such as the monitor, floppy drive, printer, and mouse.

The actual layout of heads, tracks, and sectors on a hard drive. Refer also to logical geometry.

A file used by Windows to describe the environment for a DOS program to use.

A feature of a CPU socket whereby the pins are aligned in uniform rows around the socket.

A Windows and Unix command used to troubleshoot network connections. It verifies that the host can communicate with another host on the network.

A description of how each pin on a bus, connection, plug, slot, or socket is used.

A less expensive SRAM that uses more clock cycles per transfer than nonpipelined burst but does not significantly slow down the process.

Recessed areas on the surface of a CD or DVD, separating lands, or flat areas. Lands and pits are used to represent data on a disc.

A small spot on a fine horizontal scan line. Pixels are illuminated to create an image on the monitor.

A standard designed to make the installation of new hardware devices easier by automatically configuring devices to eliminate system resource conflicts (such as IRQ or I/O address conflicts). PnP is supported by Windows 9x, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

A process by which the CPU checks the status of connected devices to determine if they are ready to send or receive data.

A type of virus that changes its distinguishing characteristics as it replicates itself. Mutating in this way makes it more difficult for AV software to recognize the presence of the virus.

The protocol that an e-mail server and client use when the client requests the downloading of e-mail messages. The most recent version is POP3. POP is slowly being replaced by IMAP.

(1) As applied to services running on a computer, a number assigned to a process on a computer so that the process can be found by TCP/IP. Also called a port address or port number. (2) Another name for an I/O address. See also I/O address. (3) A physical connector, usually at the back of a computer, that allows a cable from a peripheral device, such as a printer, mouse, or modem, to be attached.

A device designed to connect to a notebook computer in order to make it easy to connect the notebook to peripheral devices.

The configuration parameters of communications devices such as COM1, COM2, or COM3, including IRQ settings.

The communication speed between a DTE (computer) and a DCE (modem). As a general rule, the port speed should be at least four times as fast as the modem speed.

A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices. The POST is performed by startup BIOS when the computer is first turned on, and is stored in ROM-BIOS.

A line conditioner that regulates, or conditions, power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts.

A feature of Windows XP support for notebooks that allows the user to create groups of power settings for specific sets of conditions.

A box inside the computer case that supplies power to the motherboard and other installed devices. Power supplies provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC.

A password that a computer uses to control access during the boot process.

A protocol that governs the methods for communicating via modems and dial-up telephone lines. The Windows Dial-up Networking utility uses PPP.

The protocol that describes how a PC is to interact with a broadband converter box, such as cable modem, when the two are connected by an Ethernet cable, connected to a NIC in a PC.

A type of pseudo-multitasking whereby the CPU allows an application a specified period of time and then preempts the processing to give time to another application.

In a Windows NT network, the computer that controls the directory database of user accounts, group accounts, and computer accounts on a domain. Also see backup domain controller.

A hard disk partition that can contain only one logical drive.

Temporary storage on the motherboard used by the CPU to process data and instructions. Memory is considered primary storage.

A peripheral output device that produces printed output to paper. Different types include dot matrix, ink-jet, and laser printers.

A kit purchased from a printer manufacturer that contains the parts, tools, and instructions needed to perform routine printer maintenance.

An IP address that is used on a private TCP/IP network that is isolated from the Internet.

An executing instance of a program together with the program resources. There can be more than one process running for a program at the same time. One process for a program happens each time the program is loaded into memory or executed.

The speed, or frequency, at which the CPU operates. Usually expressed in GHz.

The process that Microsoft uses to prevent software piracy. For example, once Windows XP is activated for a particular computer, it cannot be installed on another computer.

A set of step-by-step instructions to a computer. Some are burned directly into chips, while others are stored as program files. Programs are written in languages such as BASIC and C++.

A file that contains instructions designed to be executed by the CPU.

An operating mode that supports preemptive multitasking, the OS manages memory and other hardware devices, and programs can use a 32-bit data path. Also called 32-bit mode.

A set of rules and standards that two entities use for communication.

A Windows initialization file that contains network configuration information.

A server that acts as an intermediary between another computer and the Internet. The proxy server substitutes its own IP address for the IP address of the computer on the network making a request, so that all traffic over the Internet appears to be coming from only the IP address of the proxy server.

An IP address available to the Internet.

A name of a standardized method used to write data to tape. These backup files have a .qic extension.

Another term for electromagnetic interference (EMI).

The process of converting signals from the computer into signals for the various assemblies in a laser printer.

A CD-ROM set or DVD that comes with a particular model and brand of computer and usually contains an image of the entire Windows installation, along with applications, utilities, and drivers specifically for that computer. Also called by other names, such as restoration CD or reinstallation DVD.

In Remote Desktop, the remote computer is the one that you are not sitting at; it's the one you make a connection to while sitting at the home computer.

A feature of Windows that allows you to connect to another computer and take control over that computer as if you were sitting in front of it. Also the name of the software that lets your computer be a remote computer in a remote desktop connection.

The software that lets a computer act as a home computer in the Remote Desktop application.

Any attack where the data is retransmitted repeatedly (often fraudulently or maliciously). In one such possibility, a user can replay a web session and visit sites intended only for the original user.

On a network, any device that clients can access, such as printers or shared drives.

A copy of your system configuration at a given point in time.

A virus that attacks or bypasses the antivirus software installed on a computer.

A daughter card with expansion slots that inserts into a motherboard; used in low-profile cases.

The first directory on a logical file system, such as C:\.

In networking, an intelligent connecting device that can send packets to the correct local area network segment to take them to their destination. Routers link LAN segments at the Network layer of the OSI model for computer-to-computer communications.

Several methods of configuring multiple hard drives to store data to increase logical volume size and improve performance, and to ensure that if one hard drive fails, the data is still available from another hard drive.

Memory modules on the motherboard containing microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. Information in RAM is lost when the PC is turned off.

An area of memory that is treated as though it were a hard drive, but works much faster than a hard drive. The Windows 9x startup disk uses a RAM drive. Compare to virtual memory.

A protocol used to translate the unique hardware NIC addresses (MAC addresses) into IP addresses (the reverse of ARP).

A sealed, magnetic coil device that moves across the surface of a disk either reading data from or writing data to the disk.

A single-tasking operating mode whereby a program has 1024K of memory addresses, has direct access to RAM, and uses a16-bit data path. Using a memory extender (Himem.sys) a program in real mode can access memory above 1024K. Also called 16-bit mode.

A Windows 2000/XP command interface utility and OS that can be used to solve problems when Windows cannot load from the hard drive.

An electrical device that converts AC to DC. A PC power supply contains a rectifier.

The process of periodically rewriting data, such as on dynamic RAM.

As applied to monitors, the number of times in one second an electronic beam can fill the screen with lines from top to bottom. Also called vertical scan rate.

A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information.

Chips that have been used and returned to the factory, marked again, and resold. The surface of the chips may be dull or scratched.

A Windows XP feature that allows a support technician at a remote location to have full access to the Windows XP desktop.

A device that amplifies signals on a network so they can be transmitted further down the line.

A floppy disk that can be used to start up a computer when the hard drive fails to boot. Also called emergency startup disk (ESD) or startup disk.

The degree to which a device opposes or resists the flow of electricity. As the electrical resistance increases, the current decreases. See ohm and resistor.

An electronic device that resists or opposes the flow of electricity. A resistor can be used to reduce the amount of electricity being supplied to an electronic component.

The number of pixels on a monitor screen that are addressable by software (example: 1024 2 768 pixels).

A snapshot of the Windows Me/XP system state, usually made before installation of new hardware or applications.

The term used by Hewlett-Packard to describe the way a laser printer varies the size of the dots used to create an image. This technology partly accounts for the sharp, clear image created by a laser printer.

A type of memory module used on newer motherboards, produced by Rambus, Inc.

A network topology in which the nodes in a network form a ring. Each node is connected only to two other nodes, and a centralized hub is not required.

Chips that incorporate only the most frequently used instructions, so that the computer operates faster (for example, the PowerPC uses RISC chips).

A card that plugs into a motherboard and allows for expansion cards to be mounted parallel to the motherboard. Expansion cards are plugged into slots on the riser card.

A phone line connection found on modems, telephones, and house phone outlets.

A connector used with twisted-pair cable that connects the cable to the NIC.

A user profile for a roaming user. Roaming user profiles are stored on a server so that the user can access the profile from anywhere on the network.

Chips that contain programming code and cannot be erased.

The main directory created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In Linux, it's indicated by a forward slash. In DOS and Windows, it's indicated by a backward slash.

A protocol that can be routed to interconnected networks on the basis of a network address. TCP/IP is a routable protocol, but NetBEUI is not.

A device that connects networks and makes decisions as to the best routes to use when forwarding packets.

Starts Windows using only basic files and drivers, such as mouse (except serial mice), monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, and default system services.

A type of Internet connection that uses a satellite dish to receive data from a satellite and a relay station that is connected to the Internet.

An optical device used to digitize images such as line art or photographs, so that they can be merged with text by a page-layout or desktop publishing program or incorporated into a CAD drawing.

A network of two or more piconets.

A form of DRAM that is synchronized to the system clock. Varieties include SDR, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DRDRAM.

A portion of a track that most often stores 512 bytes.

The encryption protocol used by Blue-tooth devices.

A solid-state, or flash, memory card format.

A protocol developed to allow encrypted data exchange between two computers.

A log file used in Windows to keep track of security events specified by the domain's audit policy.

Rubber patches that help keep the paper in place so that only one sheet goes into a printer.

Major patches or upgrades to the Windows operating system are released in groups known as service packs.

The identifier (name) of a wireless router or wireless access point. The unique name of a wireless network that differentiates it from other wireless networks that are also in range of a wireless client.

Copper network cable which has two or four pairs of twisted wires, shielded by a braided mesh and covered with an outside coating.

A memory module packaging style that features a circuit board with identical pin functions on both sides of the module's card edge.

A TCP/IP protocol optimized for sending e-mail. It uses port 25.

A RAM implementation scheme in which the memory controller allows standard memory modules to be installed one per bank.

A server that is dedicated to one purpose (for example, a file server or a printer server).

A memory module that has chips and pin functions that match the specification for a single module.

A software license that is valid for all installations at a single site.

An attack in which large volumes of ICMP echo requests (pings) are broadcast to all other machines on the network and in which the source address of the broadcast system has been spoofed to appear as though they came from the target computer. When all the machines that received the broadcast respond, they flood the target with more data than it can handle.

An attack where an attacker obtains information from people by deceiving them.

A small-form factor memory module based on DIMM principles and designed for the mobile computing sector.

In daisy-wheel printers, the small electromechanical hammer that strikes the back of the petal containing the character.

A printer that uses ink in a waxy solid form, rather than in liquid form. This allows the ink to stay fresh and eliminates problems like spillage.

A newer-style drive that has no moving parts, but uses flash memory to emulate a conventional hard disk drive.

A digital audio technology that attaches by coaxial or fiber-optic cable.

The functional part of the chipset that controls non-local bus communication among components connected to the various I/O buses, including PCI, IDE, USB, RS-232, and parallel.

Unwanted, unsolicited e-mail sent in bulk.

Permissions in Windows operating systems, including Read, Write, Execute, Delete, Change Permissions, Take Ownership, and Full Control.

An attempt by someone or something to masquerade as someone else.

A faster type of volatile memory that does not require a periodic refresh and is commonly used for cache memory.

A small metal bar on a printer that holds the printer carriage as it crosses the page.

A networking topology characterized by endpoints wiring directly to a central concentrating device, thus not affecting other endpoints when they have connectivity issues.

The device in EP process printers that drains the static charge from the paper after the toner has been transferred to the paper.

A virus that attempts to avoid detection by masking itself from applications.

A very precise motor that can move in very small increments. Often used in printers.

One of the most common fiber-optic connectors similar in style to the BNC connector used in 10Base2 Ethernet.

To go from a solid state to a gaseous state without passing through a liquid state.

A Required Part Of Any TCP/IP Configuration, Used To Define Which Addresses Are Local And which are on remote networks.

A type of fiber-optic cable connector.

Surge protectors attempt to keep power surges at bay. They often look like a power strip, but they have a fuse inside them which is designed to blow if it receives too much current, and not transfer the current to the devices plugged into it. Surge protectors may have plug-ins for RJ-11 (phone), RJ-45 (Ethernet), and BNC (coaxial cable) connectors.

Also called the page file, the swap file is the virtual memory in Windows.

1) A Layer 2 device similar to a hub in its port count but more advanced with the ability to filter traffic based on the destination MAC address of each frame. 2) Option used with commands to specify operations that command should perform.

The correct format for interacting with a command.

Located on the Windows Taskbar, contains a clock by default, but other Windows utilities (for example, screensavers or virus-protection utilities) may put their icons here when running to indicate that they are running and to provide the user with a quick way to access their features.

The SCSI chip within a device housing that controls data transfer over the SCSI bus.

A method of configuring SCSI device settings that follows the Plug and Play standard. SCAM makes installation of SCSI devices much easier, provided that the devices are SCAM-compliant.

A component of a laser printer consisting of an octagonal mirror that can be directed in a sweeping motion to cover the entire length of a laser printer drum.

A fast interface between a host adapter and the CPU that can daisy chain as many as 7 or 15 devices on a single bus.

A number from 0 to 15 assigned to each SCSI device attached to the daisy chain.

Storage that is remote to the CPU and permanently holds data, even when the PC is turned off, such as a hard drive.

On a disk surface one segment of a track, which almost always contains 512 bytes of data?

A portion of the Windows NT/2000/XP registry that manages the account database that contains accounts, policies, and other pertinent information about local accounts.

A method of data access used by tape drives, whereby data is written or read sequentially from the beginning to the end of the tape or until the desired data is found.

A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4.

An established communication link between two software programs. On the Internet, a session is created by TCP.

A Windows tool that checks to make sure Windows is using the correct versions of system files.

Memory designed especially for video card processing that can synchronize itself with the CPU bus clock.

ROM programming code copied into RAM to speed up the system operation, because of the faster access speed of RAM.

The portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications.

A cable that is made of one or more twisted pairs of wires and is surrounded by a metal shield.

An icon on the desktop that points to a program that can be executed or to a file or folder.

A repeater that is able to distinguish between noise and signal. It reads the signal and retransmits it without the accompanying noise.

A Windows 2000/XP utility that allows you to search for digital signatures.

A process that allows the CPU to execute a single instruction simultaneously on multiple pieces of data, rather than by repetitive looping.

A miniature circuit board used in older computers to hold RAM. SIMMs hold 8, 16, 32, or 64 MB on a single module.

A type of dynamic volume used on a single hard drive that corresponds to a primary partition on a basic disk.

A type of SCSI cable in which two wires are used to carry a signal, one of which carries the signal itself; the other is a ground for the signal.

A CPU that requires one voltage for both internal and I/O operations.

Wasted space on a hard drive caused by not using all available space at the end of clusters.

A mode used in many Green systems that allows them to be configured through CMOS to suspend the monitor or even the drive, if the keyboard and/or CPU have been inactive for a set number of minutes. See also Green Standards.

A line protocol used by regular telephone lines that has largely been replaced by PPP.

A hard drive cache program that came with Windows 3.x and DOS and can be executed as a TSR from the Autoexec.bat file (for example, Device=Smartdrv.sys 2048).

The protocol used by e-mail clients and servers to send e-mail messages over the Internet. See POP and IMAP.

Components added to a console using the Microsoft Management Console.

A protocol used to monitor and manage network traffic on a workstation. SNMP works with TCP/IP and IPX/SPX networks.

A type of memory module used in notebook computers that uses DIMM technology and can have either 72 pins or 144 pins.

To restart a PC without turning off the power, for example, by pressing three keys at the same time (Ctrl, Alt, and Del). Also called warm boot.

A feature on an ATX system that allows an OS to power down the system and allows for activity such as a keystroke or network activity to power up the system. Also called soft power.

Computer programs, or instructions to perform a specific task. Software may be BIOS, OSs, or applications software such as a word-processing or spreadsheet program.

Cache controlled by software whereby the cache is stored in RAM.

A 160-pin memory module used in notebooks that uses Rambus technology.

That portion of the chip set hub that connects slower I/O buses (for example, an ISA bus) to the system bus. Compare to North Bridge.

A type of dynamic volume used on two or more hard drives that fills up the space allotted on one physical disk before moving to the next.

The part of the SCSI-3 standard that specifies how SCSI devices are connected.

Temporary surges in voltage, which can damage electrical components.

Placing print jobs in a print queue so that an application can be released from the printing process before printing is completed. Spooling is an acronym for simultaneous peripheral operations online.

A technology used by the Intel Pentium III and later CPUs and designed to improve performance of multimedia software.

A feature of a CPU socket whereby the pins are staggered over the socket in order to squeeze more pins into a small space.

The time before a Green system will reduce 92 percent of its activity. See also Green Standards.

Round plastic or metal pegs that separate the motherboard from the case, so that components on the back of the motherboard do not touch the case.

A LAN that uses a logical bus design, but with all devices connected to a central hub, making a physical star.

A topology that is physically arranged in a star formation but is logically a ring because of the way information travels on it. Token ring is the primary example.

A LAN in which all the devices are connected to a central hub.

Bits that are used to signal the approach of data.

Part of system BIOS that is responsible for controlling the PC when it is first turned on. Startup BIOS gives control over to the OS once it is loaded.

Term for a device or process that manages data or some activity without regard to all the details of the data or activity.

An IP address permanently assigned to a workstation.

RAM chips that retain information without the need for refreshing, as long as the computer's power is on. They are more expensive than traditional DRAM.

A VxD that is loaded into memory at startup and remains there for the entire OS session.

A virus that actively conceals itself by temporarily removing itself from an infected file that is about to be examined, and then hiding a copy of itself elsewhere on the drive.

An error severe enough to cause the operating system to stop all processes.

Downloading audio data from the Internet in a continuous stream of data without first downloading an entire audio file.

A type of dynamic volume used for two or more hard drives that writes to the disks evenly rather than filling up allotted space on one and then moving on to the next. Compare to spanned volume.

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder.

A subnet mask is a group of four numbers (dotted decimal numbers) that tell TCP/IP if a remote computer is on the same or a different network.

The different modules into which the Windows NT/2000/XP user mode is divided.

A device or power strip designed to protect electronic equipment from power surges and spikes.

The time before a Green system will reduce 99 percent of its activity. After this time, the system needs a warm-up time so that the CPU, monitor, and hard drive can reach full activity.

A file on the hard drive that is used by the OS for virtual memory. Also called a page file.

A device used to segment a network. It can decide which network segment is to receive a packet, on the basis of the packet's destination MAC address.

The process by which files and programs are transferred between PDAs and PCs.

A type of memory stored on DIMMs that runs in sync with the system clock, running at the same speed as the motherboard.

SRAM that is faster and more expensive than asynchronous SRAM. It requires a clock signal to validate its control signals, enabling the cache to run in step with the CPU.

A type of DRAM developed by a consortium of 12 DRAM manufacturers. It improved on regular SDRAM but is now obsolete.

The Windows System Configuration Editor, a text editor generally used to edit system files.

BIOS located on the motherboard.

The bus between the CPU and memory on the motherboard. The bus frequency in documentation is called the system speed, such as 200 MHz. Also called the memory bus, front-side bus, local bus, or host bus.

A line on a bus that is dedicated to timing the activities of components connected to it. The system clock provides a continuous pulse that other devices use to time themselves.

Windows terminology for a bootable disk.

The active partition of the hard drive containing the boot record and the specific files required to load Windows NT/2000/XP.

A channel, line, or address on the motherboard that can be used by the CPU or a device for communication. The four system resources are IRQ, I/O address, DMA channel, and memory address.

A Windows ME/XP utility, similar to the ScanReg tool in earlier versions of Windows that is used to restore the system to a restore point. Unlike ScanReg, System Restore cannot be executed from a command prompt.

In Windows 2000/XP, files that are necessary for a successful load of the operating system.

An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons of small applets launched at startup.

A text configuration file used by Windows 3.x and supported by Windows 9x for backward-compatibility.

An attack that begins as a normal TCP connection and whose purpose is to deny service. It's also known as a TCP SYN flood.

An attack in which the attacker commandeers a TCP session from a legitimate user after the legitimate user has achieved authentication, thereby removing the need for the attacker to authenticate himself.

An attack wherein the attacker intercepts and then responds with a sequence number similar to the one used in the original session. The attack can either disrupt a session or hijack a valid session.

A file designed to store information for a short period of time and then be deleted.

A solid-state device with USB attachment that takes the place of older floppy diskettes and holds much more data than floppies ever did.

A media-access method that gives every NIC equal access to the cable. The token is a special packet of data that is passed from computer to computer. Any computer that wants to transmit has to wait until it has the token, at which point it can add its own data to the token and send it on.

A local area network with a logical ring structure that uses token passing to regulate traffic on the network and avoid collisions.

A carbon substance mixed with polyester resins and iron oxide particles. During the EP printing process, toner is first attracted to areas that have been exposed to the laser in laser printers and is later deposited and melted onto the print medium.

The layout of a network. Basic LAN topologies are bus, ring, and star. WAN topologies include full and partial meshes. Topology can describe either the logical or physical layout. See Chapter 10 for more information.

The concentric rings on a platter where data is stored. Tracks are subdivided into sectors.

The part of an EP process printer that is responsible for transferring the developed image from the EP drum to the paper.

The fifth step in the EP print process, when the developed toner image on the EP drum is transferred to the print medium using the transfer corona.

A device that takes one type of electrical current and turns it into a different type of electrical current.

A core protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite that establishes connections and guarantees packet delivery. Part of the TCP/IP protocol suite. TCP guarantees delivery of data for application protocols and establishes a session before it begins transmitting data.

A set of computer-to-computer communications protocols that encompasses media access, packet transport, session communications, file transfer, e-mail, and terminal emulation. TCP/IP is supported by a very large number of hardware and software vendors and is available on many different computers from PCs to mainframes. It is the protocol of the Internet and the most widely-used communications protocol in existence today.

A modified networking topology that interconnects the concentrators of a star topology to form tiers of connectivity for endpoints to reduce the number of concentrators between any two endpoints.

Any application that masquerades as one thing in order to get past scrutiny and then does something malicious. One of the major differences between Trojan horses and viruses is that Trojan horses tend not to replicate themselves.

A class of internal and external devices that allows you to connect a broadcast signal, such as home cable television, to your computer and display it.

A standard developed by Intel and Microsoft that can be used by 32-bit Windows 9x communications programs for communicating over phone lines.

A term describing the technology of converting sound to signals that can travel over telephone lines.

The resistor added at the end of a SCSI chain to dampen the voltage at the end of the chain.

A process necessary to prevent an echo effect of power at the end of a SCSI chain, resulting in interference with the data transmission.

Each process that the CPU is aware of; a single task that is part of a longer task or program.

Number of routers a network packet can pass through on its way to its destination before it is dropped. Also called hop count.

An older LAN technology developed by IBM that transmits data at 4 Mbps or 16 Mbps.

The highest level of domain names, indicated by a suffix that tells something about the host. For example, .com is for commercial use and .edu is for educational institutions.

A wire on a circuit board that connects two components or devices.

One of many concentric circles on the surface of a hard drive or floppy disk.

The component on a NIC that is responsible for signal conversion. Combines the words transmitter and receiver.

A device that changes the ratio of current to voltage. A computer power supply is basically a transformer and a rectifier.

An electronic device that can regulate electricity and act as a logical gate or switch for an electrical signal.

A technique used by system BIOS and hard drive controller BIOS to break the 504-MB hard drive barrier, whereby a different set of drive parameters are communicated to the OS and other software than that used by the hard drive controller BIOS.

A type of infestation that hides or disguises itself as a useful program, yet is designed to cause damage at a later time.

A program that is loaded into memory and remains dormant until called on, such as a screen saver or a memory-resident antivirus program.

An installation method that does not require human intervention once started and is frequently used when installing over the network. Unattended installations use answer files to supply the necessary parameters to Windows Setup.

A UPS is designed to protect everything that's plugged into it from power surges, power sags, and even power outages. The device contains one or more batteries and fuses. Energy is stored in the batteries, and if the power fails, the batteries can power the computer for a period of time so the administrator can then safely power it down.

Another name for an IBM data connector.

Networking cable that has four twisted pairs of copper wire and a flexible outer coating.

Part of the TCP/IP suite that performs a similar function to TCP, with less overhead and more speed but with lower reliability. It is a connectionless protocol, meaning that it does not guarantee packet delivery. A connectionless protocol that does not require a connection to send a packet and does not guarantee that the packet arrives at its destination. UDP is faster than TCP because TCP takes the time to make a connection and guarantee delivery.

A chip that controls serial ports. It sets protocol and converts parallel data bits received from the system bus into serial bits.

A Windows NT/ 2000/XP installation that is done by storing the answers to installation questions in a text file or script that Windows NT/2000/XP calls an answer file so that the answers do not have to be typed in during the installation.

A file system for optical media used by all DVD discs and some CD-R and CD-RW discs.

A cable that is made of one or more twisted pairs of wires and is not surrounded by a metal shield.

In DOS and Windows 9x, the memory addresses from 640K up to 1024K, originally reserved for BIOS, device drivers, and TSRs.

In DOS and Windows 9x, a group of consecutive memory addresses in RAM from 640K to 1MB that can be used by 16-bit device drivers and TSRs.

An address for a resource on the Internet. A URL can contain the protocol used by the resource, the name of the computer and its network, and the path and name of a file on the computer.

A type of port designed to make installation and configuration of I/O devices easy, providing room for as many as 127 devices daisy-chained together.

Manages the USB bus. For the 400 series Intel chip set, the USB host controller is included in the PCI controller chip. The USB uses only a single set of resources for all devices on the bus.

In Windows NT/2000/XP, a mode that provides an interface between an application and the OS, and only has access to hardware resources through the code running in kernel mode.

A Windows XP utility that helps you migrate user files and preferences from one computer to another in order to help a user makes a smooth transition from one computer to another.

A stand-alone device that is often used to save a video stream to the computer for later manipulation or sharing.

A general term for a type of computer technology where hard disk space is used to supplement a computer's physical memory. The memory controller uses a swap file on the hard drive to offload the least recently used contents of RAM to make room for additional applications and data.

A secure network where computers that are not local to the network appear to be local. Used frequently to securely connect LANs together across a WAN or for network users to remotely access the network.

A small, deviously genius program that replicates itself to other computers, generally causing those computers to behave abnormally.

The technology that encapsulates voice traffic into IP packets and transmits it across a TCP/IP network.

The switch on a power supply that allows you to manually change the input voltage between 60Hz, 110VAC to 50Hz, 220VAC.

A software application that checks your network for any known security holes.

The latest standard for data transmission over phone lines that can attain a speed of 56 Kbps.

In Windows, the name and value of a setting in the registry.

A built-in Windows 9x 32-bit software cache that doesn't take up conventional memory space or upper memory space as SMARTDrive did.

An outdated local bus used on 80486 computers for connecting 32-bit adapters directly to the local processor bus.

A variation of the original DOS 16-bit FAT that allows for long filenames and 32-bit disk access.

An interface card installed in the computer to control visual output on a monitor. Also called display adapter.

A Windows device driver that may or may not have direct access to a device. It might depend on a Windows component to communicate with the device itself.

One or more logical machines created within one physical machine by Windows, allowing applications to make serious errors within one logical machine without disturbing other programs and parts of the system.

A method whereby the OS uses the hard drive as though it were RAM. Compare to RAM drive.

An operating mode that works similarly to real mode provided by a 32-bit OS for a 16-bit program to work.

A program that often has an incubation period, is infectious, and is intended to cause damage. A virus program might destroy data and programs or damage a disk drive's boot sector.

A set of distinguishing characteristics of a virus used by antivirus software to identify the virus.

A Windows 9x program that controls virtual machines and the resources they use including memory. The VMM manages the page table used to access memory.

Refers to a kind of RAM that is temporary, cannot hold data very long, and must be frequently refreshed.

A measure of potential difference in an electrical circuit. A computer ATX power supply usually provides five separate voltages: +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and +3.3V.

Electrical differential that causes current to flow, measured in volts. See volt.

A device for measuring electrical AC or DC voltage.

RAM on video cards that holds the data that is being passed from the computer to the monitor and can be accessed by two devices simultaneously. Higher resolutions often require more video memory.

The unit of measure for power, equal to the number of volts in a circuit times the number of amps.

A network that expands LANs to include networks outside of the local environment and also to distribute resources across distances.

A collection of IEEE 802.11x standards.

An enhancement of 802.11 encryption that secures Wi-Fi communications. The current standard is WPA2.

A list of all the hardware that works with Windows that also details which versions of Windows the hardware works with. The new name for the Hardware Compatibility List.

An old security protocol developed for Wi-Fi. It has security flaws and is easily compromised.

A central hub that looks nearly identical to wireless routers and provides central connectivity like wireless routers, but doesn't have nearly as many features.

Another name for a Bluetooth network.

An area on the hard disk where programs store their temporary files while they work.

1) In networking, any personal computer (other than the file server) attached to the network. 2) A high-performance computer optimized for graphics applications such as computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and scientific applications.

A program similar to a virus. Worms, however, propagate themselves over a network.

The third step in the EP print process, during which the items being printed are written to the EP drum. In this step, the laser is flashed on and off as it scans across the surface of the drum. The area on which the laser shines is discharged to almost ground (100V).

A clock tick in which nothing happens, used to ensure that the microprocessor isn't getting ahead of slower components. A 0-wait state is preferable to a 1wait state. Too many wait states can slow down a system.

A network or group of networks that span a large geographical area.

The unit used to measure power. A typical computer may use a power supply that provides 200W.

Electrical power measured in watts.

The only Windows 9x Plug and Play component that is found in Windows 98 but not Windows 95. WDM is the component responsible for managing device drivers that work under a driver model new to Windows 98.

A Windows 2000/XP tool that protects system files from modification.

One of the two main SCSI specifications. Wide SCSI has a 16-bit data bus.

A * or ? character used in a command line that represents a character or group of characters in a filename or extension.

The Windows initialization file that contains program configuration information needed for running the Windows operating environment. Its functions were replaced by the registry beginning with Windows 9x, which still supports it for backward compatibility with Windows 3.x.

A group of programs provided by Windows NT/2000/XP to create a virtual DOS environment that emulates a 16-bit Windows environment, protecting the rest of the OS from 16-bit applications.

The name of the Windows 9x swap file. Its default location is C:\Windows.

A Microsoft resolution service with a distributed database that tracks relationships between NetBIOS names and IP addresses. Compare to DNS.

A part of the TCP/IP utility software that manages API calls from applications to other computers on a TCP/IP network.

A type of LAN that does not use wires or cables to create connections, but instead transmits data over radio or infrared waves.

In Windows, a logical group of computers and users in which administration, resources, and security are distributed throughout the network, without centralized management or security.

An infestation designed to copy itself repeatedly to memory, on drive space or on a network, until little memory or disk space remains.

Dual-ported video RAM that is faster and less expensive than VRAM. It has its own internal bus on the chip, with a data path that is 256 bits wide.

A mechanism on which chip sockets are mounted that allows insertion of the chip with no downward force except gravity. A socket that uses a small lever to apply even force when you install the microchip into the socket.

A method of storing data on a hard drive whereby the drive can have more sectors per track near the outside of the platter.