300 Glossary
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speed.
BTU — British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output.
B
US — A communication pathway between the components in your computer.
B
US SPEED — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can
transfer information.
B
YTE — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8
bits.
C
C—Celsius — A temperature measurement system where 0° is the freezing point
and 100° is the boiling point of water.
C
ACHE — A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved
section of main memory or an independent high-speed storage device. The cache
enhances the efficiency of many microprocessor operations.
L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the microprocessor.
L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the microprocessor
or incorporated into the microprocessor architecture.
CD — compact disc — An optical form of storage media, typically used for audio
and software programs.
CD
DRIVE — A drive that uses optical technology to read data from CDs.
CD
PLAYER — The software used to play music CDs. The CD player displays a
window with buttons you use to play a CD.
CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded
only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.
CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to
a CD-RW, and then erased and written over (rewritten).
CD-RW
DRIVE — A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable
CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple
times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.
C
LOCK SPEED — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast computer
components that are connected to the system bus operate.
COA — Certificate of Authenticity — The Windows alpha-numeric code located
on a sticker on your computer. You may need the COA to complete the operating
system setup or reinstallation. Also referred to as the Product Key or Product ID.
C
ONTROL PANEL — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating
system and hardware settings, such as display settings.
C
ONTROLLER — A chip that controls the transfer of data between the
microprocessor and memory or between the microprocessor and devices.
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