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Toshiba Satellite M40 (PSM40) User Manual

Page 191

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User’s Manual

Glossary-7

Glossary

escape guard time: A time before and after an escape code is sent to the

modem which distinguishes between escapes that are part of the

transmitted data, and escapes that are intended as a command to

the modem.

execute: To interpret and execute an instruction.
Extended Capability Port: An industry standard that provides a data

buffer, switchable forward and reverse data transmission, and run

length encoding (RLE) support.

F

fast infrared: An industry standard that enables cableless infrared serial

data transfer at speeds of up to 4 Mbps.

file: A collection of related information; a file can contain data, programs, or

both.

firmware: A set of instructions built into the hardware which controls and

directs a microprocessor’s activities.

fixed disk: See hard disk.
floppy disk: See diskette.
floppy disk drive (FDD): See diskette drive.
Fn-esse: A TOSHIBA utility that lets you assign functions to hotkeys.
format: The process of readying a blank disk for its first use. Formatting

establishes the structure of the disk that the operating system

expects before it writes files or programs onto the disk.

folder: An icon in Windows used to store documents or other folders.
function keys: The keys labeled F1 through F12 that tell the computer to

perform certain functions.

G

gigabyte (GB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 megabytes. See also

megabyte.

GND: Ground. An RS-232C signal used in the exchange of data between a

computer and serial device.

graphics: The use of drawings, pictures, or other images, such as charts

or graphs, to present information.

H

hard disk: A non-removable disk usually referred to as drive C. Also called

fixed disk.

hard disk drive (HDD): An electromechanical device that reads and writes

a hard disk. See also hard disk.

hardware: The physical electronic and mechanical components of a

computer system: typically, the computer itself, external disk drives,

etc. See also software and firmware.

hertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals one cycle per second.
hexadecimal: The base 16 numbering system composed of the digits 0

through 9 and the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F.