Gateway E-3200 User Manual download pdf (Page 34)

Appendix A 29

Terms and Definitions

This list of terms should help you get acquainted with terms used in your

computer’s documentation and in your system software.

Applications - Software installed on your system. Sometimes called

programs

BIOS - Basic input/output system. The BIOS is software that is

independent of any operating system. It enables the computer to

communicate with the monitor, keyboard, and other peripheral devices

without using programs on the hard disk.

The BIOS on your computer is flash BIOS, which means that is has been

recorded on a memory chip that can be updated if needed.

Boot - To start your computer. A cold boot resets the computer and runs

through all computer self-tests. It is initiated by turning the computer off

and then on again. A warm boot clears out computer memory only and is

initiated by pressing

CTRL+ALT+DEL

Boot disk - A disk containing operating system programs required to start

your computer. A boot disk can be a diskette, hard drive, or CD.

Cache memory - Cache is very fast memory that can be located in the

processor. Cache reduces the average time required for the processor to get

the data it needs from the main memory by storing recently accessed data in

the cache.

CMOS memory - Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory.

CMOS memory is memory that is retained even when the computer is

turned off. The Setup program settings and other parameters are maintained

in CMOS memory.

Disc - A compact disc (CD).

Disk - The device used by the computer to store and retrieve information.

Disk can refer to a diskette or a hard disk.

Diskette - A removable disk, also called a floppy.

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Gateway E-3200 User Manual Page 34