Ciara Enterprise/Discovery 945GTP
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GLOSSARY
Adapter card -- A printed circuit board that gives your computer some added capability, such as more memory, or
control of a new device. A card plugs into an expansion slot on the system board.
Analog monitor -- A type of video display that uses a continuously variable analog voltage to display a large number
of colours at resolutions up to 1024 x 768 and beyond. The voltage levels on the red, green and blue lines on the VGA
connector determine colours.
Auto switching -- The ability of a video display to detect the video display mode for a given application program and
automatically switch to that mode.
BIOS -- Basic Input Output System. Programs permanently stored in the system board's ROM chips that provide the
fundamental processes or functions of the system, such as the Power On Self Test (POST). The VGA circuitry has its
own video BIOS. See also ROM.
Bus -- A set of address or data lines used to transfer information between different components within a computer
(such as memory, the microprocessor, and slots).
Cache -- A device that contains high-speed memory and permits higher speed accesses than general-purpose memory.
Cache hit rate -- The percentage of time data is delivered from the cache rather than from main memory.
Central processing unit (CPU) -- An integrated circuit chip that performs the actual computing functions of the
computer. Other chips perform support functions like storing data and controlling peripherals. See also
microprocessor.
Chip -- An electronic device that combines thousands of transistors on a small sliver of silicon. See also integrated
circuit.
Chip set -- The logic devices on the motherboard that connects the microprocessor and other board functions.
Clock -- A circuit that sends a consistent, periodic signal that is used to step logic information through a computer
circuit.
CMOS RAM -- Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS RAM stores basic configuration information
about your computer.
Colour display -- A video display capable of displaying colours based on the RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) colour-
mixing scheme.
Configuration -- The way in which a computer and peripheral equipment (such as printers and display monitors) are
interconnected and programmed to operate as a system.
Default -- The initial setting when the board left the factory.
Digital monitor -- A type of monitor in which display colour is controlled by digital colour control lines that switch
on and off; the number of colours that can be displayed depends on the selected display mode.
DIMM -- Dual In-Line Memory Module. RAM chips installed on a small circuit board module, having a single row
of connectors (184 pins) on the bottom of the module where it is plugged into the main system board.
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