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Toshiba Satellite L30 (PSL33) User Manual

Page 159

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User’s Manual

Glossary-10

Glossary

M

main board: See motherboard.
megabyte (MB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 kilobytes. See also

kilobyte.

megahertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals 1 million cycles per

second. See also hertz.

menu: A software interface that displays a list of options on the screen.

Also called a screen.

microprocessor: A hardware component contained in a single integrated

circuit that carries out instructions. Also called the central

processing unit (CPU), one of the main parts of the computer.

mode: A method of operation, for example, the boot mode, Standby Mode

or the Hibernation Mode.

modem: Derived from modulator/demodulator, a device that converts

(modulates) digital data for transmission over telephone lines and

then converts modulated data (demodulates) to digital format where

received.

monitor: A device that uses rows and columns of pixels to display

alphanumeric characters or graphic images. See also CRT.

motherboard: A name sometimes used to refer to the main printed circuit

board in processing equipment. It usually contains integrated

circuits that perform the processor’s basic functions and provides

connectors for adding other boards that perform special functions.

Sometimes called a main board.

MP3: An audio compression standard that enables high-quality

transmission and real-time playback of sound files.

N

nonvolatile memory: Memory, usually read-only (ROM), that is capable of

permanently storing information. Turning the computer's power off

does not alter data stored in nonvolatile memory.

numeric keypad overlay: A feature that allows you to use certain keys on

the keyboard to perform numeric entry, or to control cursor and page

movement.

O

OCR: Optical Character Recognition (reader). A technique or device that

uses laser or visible light to identify characters and input them into a

storage device.