Dell XPS M140 (MXC051, Late 2005) User Manual

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Glossary

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read-only — Data and/or files you can view but cannot

edit or delete. A file can have read-only status if:

• It resides on a physically write-protected floppy disk,

CD, or DVD.

• It is located on a network in a directory and the

system administrator has assigned rights only to

specific individuals.

refresh rate — The frequency, measured in Hz, at which

your screen's horizontal lines are recharged (sometimes

also referred to as its vertical frequency). The higher the

refresh rate, the less video flicker can be seen by the

human eye.
resolution — The sharpness and clarity of an image

produced by a printer or displayed on a monitor. The

higher the resolution, the sharper the image.
RFI — radio frequency interference — Interference that

is generated at typical radio frequencies, in the range of

10 kHz to 100,000 MHz. Radio frequencies are at the

lower end of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and

are more likely to have interference than the higher

frequency radiations, such as infrared and light.
ROM — read-only memory — Memory that stores data

and programs that cannot be deleted or written to by the

computer. ROM, unlike RAM, retains its contents after

you shut down your computer. Some programs essential to

the operation of your computer reside in ROM.
RPM — revolutions per minute — The number of

rotations that occur per minute. Hard drive speed is often

measured in rpm.
RTC — real time clock — Battery-powered clock on the

system board that keeps the date and time after you shut

down the computer.
RTCRST — real-time clock reset — A jumper on the

system board of some computers that can often be used

for troubleshooting problems.

ScanDisk — A Microsoft utility that checks files, folders,

and the hard disk’s surface for errors. ScanDisk often runs

when you restart the computer after it has stopped

responding.

SDRAM — synchronous dynamic random-access memory

— A type of DRAM that is synchronized with the optimal

clock speed of the processor.
serial connector — An I/O port often used to connect

devices such as a handheld digital device or digital camera

to your computer.
Service Tag — A bar code label on your computer that

identifies your computer when you access Dell Support at

support.dell.com or when you call Dell for customer

service or technical support.
setup program — A program that is used to install and

configure hardware and software. The setup.exe or

install.exe program comes with most Windows software

packages. Setup program differs from the system setup

program.
shortcut — An icon that provides quick access to

frequently used programs, files, folders, and drives. When

you place a shortcut on your Windows desktop and

double-click the icon, you can open its corresponding

folder or file without having to find it first. Shortcut icons

do not change the location of files. If you delete a

shortcut, the original file is not affected. Also, you can

rename a shortcut icon.
shutdown — The process of closing windows and exiting

programs, exiting the operating system, and turning off

your computer. You can lose data if you turn off your

computer before completing a shutdown.
smart card — A card that is embedded with a processor

and a memory chip. Smart cards can be used to

authenticate a user on computers equipped for smart

cards.
software — Anything that can be stored electronically,

such as computer files or programs.
S/PDIF — Sony/Philips Digital Interface — An audio

transfer file format that allows the transfer of audio from

one file to another without converting it to and from an

analog format, which could degrade the quality of the file.
standby mode — A power management mode that shuts

down all unnecessary computer operations to save energy.

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